The pristine Luca sunshine lusciously beat down on the serene coastal city. A recent highly-publicized sphere break tournament re-ignited the city's love for the game and alas, the sound of spheres being mercilessly smashed together intertwined with the rhythmic ambience of the ocean waves gently washing up against the dockyard of Luca Harbour. The Luca Stadium stood proudly atop Luca Bridge, it's clear, crystal ball-like architecture boldly setting it aside from its modern, everyday-looking counterparts.
A sombre-looking young man was leaning over the pathway rail bars, over-looking Luca's picturesque blue shores. He ran his hands through his silky, grey hair as he scanned the pearly blue horizon. He thought about these days, the glorious days of his youth, and wished they would last forever.
Why? The doleful man thought, Why must I be the one to take on such a momentous duty? He looked ahead, as far ahead as his hazel brown eyes could see. The day will come when I look back on these moments…and they'll be nothing but memories. Someday, I will be chosen…someday, I will lead a nation…someday I will be…Baralai: Praetor of New Yevon.
"Yo!" a voice echoed.
A familiar voice shook him out of his melancholy-induced, daze-like state. As he turned around to see a fresh-faced Al Bhed walking down the pathway toward him.
Gippal.
He smiled, then laughed, as Gippal mockingly pranced toward him as a bride does to her groom.
"Bro!" Gippal shouted, as he romantically pranced toward him.
Gippal embraced him with open arms and playfully latched onto him, as a child does to the leg of his mother or father.
"Ha-ha, late as usual, I see" Baralai chuckled, arms mid-air, somewhat embarrassed to publicly return Gippal's affection.
"I just missed ya so much, man! A whole week without you calling me even once? You're killin' me!" Gippal shouted, as his spiked blonde hair rustled against Baralai's attire giving him the sensation of a blunt porcupine rubbing against him. "You left me all alone for a week to do your fancy praetor training in Bevelle, man, that's torture right there!" he said, still forcefully hanging on to him.
"Ha-ha, yeah. My apologies…" Baralai replied, laughing at Gippal's child-like behaviour.
Baralai had always liked this about Gippal. Sure his playful, immature nature contrasted his mature, laid back demeanour, but he liked the fact that he had a friend that could take his mind off his looming, pre-determined future. A friend with whom he could be Baralai; citizen of Spira, as opposed to Baralai: The Next Great Leader of New Yevon.
Gippal gave Baralai's torso one last bear-hug squeeze before he finally released him and gathered himself. His flawless, tan skin glistened in the sunlight as he straightened out his outfit; tan cargo shorts and blue flip-flops complete with a white "Al-Bhed Boyz Rule" print sleeveless t-shirt.
"Man, it's hot out!" Gippal said, releasing a sigh of relief as he swung his arms and dotingly paced around, absorbing Luca's serene scenery.
Baralai took Gippal's innocent doting as a chance to examine him. He looked at at his defined jawline, then at his toned physique, then at both his emerald-green eyes, then finally at his gelled, beach-blonde hair. He'd always wondered how he got it to stay so perfectly styled every day...He'd always thought to ask, but was beginning to grow fond of not knowing.
"So" Gippal said, as he let out a grunt hoisting himself up to sit on the rail guard. "What did they teach ya? How to eat from a crystal-handled dessert spoon? How to properly consume a glass of Château de Moonflow? Or perhaps how to politely blow one's nose into a shoopuf-skinned handkerchief?" Gippal playfully jaunted.
Realising two of the three things Gippal had said were things he'd actually been taught by the Bevelle Council's royal etiquette contingent, he was suddenly overcome with a sudden out-of-character urge to join Gippal's mocking.
"Why, yes-" he started, putting on his best pretentious sounding voice. "I also learnt how to graciously accept bows from my oh-so royal servants, how to elegantly walk down Bevelle's decadent vestibules whilst having rose petals gracefully thrown at me, how to thrice tie the Coeurl-skinned bow that sits ever so neatly upon my royal attire, and let's not forget, how to properly wield a mana-infused lance in case the precious praetor faces danger from blood-curling invading forces" he said, finishing his animated speech with a mock attack stance.
Gippal stared at Baralai in disbelief. Then fell forwards off the rail he'd been perching on and onto the ground, clutching his stomach and shaking with uncontrollable laughter.
"Dude, that was hilarious!" Gippal exclaimed, unable to contain his laughter.
Baralai doubled back in mild shameful-docility, reflecting on the out of character monologue. Perhaps it was the immaculate Luca weather, or perhaps it was the joy of being reunited with his closest friend after a week of having every aspect of his behaviour being primed and groomed by over-zealous, analytical New Yevon seniors, but Baralai was in an unusually playful mood.
Gippal finished his laughter, let out a few post-laugh coughs, then stood back up and put his arm around Baralai.
"Damn bro, that's a first. Finally taking a leaf outta ol' Gippal's book and learning how to loosen up, eh?" he said, rubbing Baralai's shoulder.
What Gippal said had a smidge of truth to it. Baralai had been living with Gippal for just over a month now, and pieces of Gippal were beginning to show in Baralai every now and then. From waking up and carelessly chowing down leftover pizza from the night before as a pre-breakfast snack, to adopting his "if it smells good, just wear it" attitude towards laundry, and even to the vocabulary he used.
The fact that they were living together was a miraculous wonder in itself. Baralai's father had requested he live in a Bevelle manor he had acquired, which would've meant living a tightly-scheduled life of gourmet breakfast-in-bed consisting of the finest imported fish and fruit Besaid island has to offer, dressing in luxury hand-woven garments provided to him by Guadosalam's best tailors, and the occasional evening attendance to one of Bevelle's many royal hall shows, with a beautiful female escort to hand of course.
However, living the luxurious life of a royal-to-be didn't entice him. He instead wanted to live a regular life as a regular citizen of Spira, with Gippal as a budding companion and roommate. When Baralai courageously approached his father with the concept, he callously rejected it. Due to various unconfirmed rumours coming from both Bevelle and the Machine Faction about Gippal, his father saw the young Al Bhed as an untamed wild-child that would do nothing but be a bad influence upon New Yevon's next great leader. After growing weary of Baralai's tireless efforts to convince him, he presented him with a proposition; Baralai's father was to purchase him a luxury maisonette in Luca's most affluent neighbourhood, but in exchange, Baralai was to live in the Bevelle manor for one week every month to be trained and groomed for the throne.
"The house is a mess, dude. I tried hoovering it with that new machina your dad sent us, but I gave up halfway when the Beasts vs Duggles game came on, you know I can't resist a good blitzball game" Gippal explained, as he started to walk in the direction of their home.
Baralai chuckled, "Same as ever, I see" he replied, shaking his head as he followed his lead, "You really should learn how to discipline yourself" he expressed.
The pair walked in unison as they slowly made their way down the footpath.
"So, whaddaya gonna whip up for me when we get home? I'm guessing they must've taught you some cooking skills. The future praetor mustn't depend on his servants too much, now" he said playfully.
"No, they didn't teach me anything like that. But I have taken it upon myself to learn some new recipes" Baralai said, nodding his head proudly.
"For real? Haha, yeah! Gippal's eatin' good tonight!" he said, punching the air with his fist.
The pair were now walking past Luca Harbour, and a familiar smell of wooden cargo crates mixed with sea breeze filled the air. Workmen were busy operating heavy machina to sort the shipments they'd received, street kids were joyously playing among themselves and elderly couples were contently walking arm-in-arm with one another.
Baralai watched Gippal as he relaxingly sauntered ahead, admiring the weather. He was glad he had Gippal as a friend. He could sense Gippal was different from anyone else he'd met before. Granted, his sheltered Bevelle upbringing prevented him from ever having many close relationships, but he could tell Gippal was a keeper. His gaze averted from Gippal and settled on the scenery of the port. He began to think again.
As the winds of change blow at a slow but steady pace, my return to Bevelle was a stark reminder of the days that await me. What obstacles will I face as the ruler of a great nation? I am uncertain. Alas, I must stop these thoughts of disparagement and look ahead. I will walk boldly, taking each day as it comes. With Gippal in my stride.