The Long Goodbye
Final Fantasy X
Tidus...
Yuna breathed the name like the sweet scent of the ocean.
Tidus...
Her voice was faint. It was hardly loud enough for her own ears to hear. A soft breeze filled with sand and the aroma of the shore flew past her tiny curled body.
She sat on the beach, gripping her knees and hiding her face from the shining sun. The feel of her lavender skirt on her forehead was oddly soothing even as it danced in the wind.
"Yuna!"
Her darkened paradise of flowing magenta silk was interupted by the sound of a rather familiar voice. Popping her head away from her lap, she turned her eyes to the entrance of the forest that towered behind her.
There stood a man who appeared to be in his early twenties. He wore golden overalls that were covered with various belts and strings. His hair glistened bright orange in the sunlight as did his lightly scruffed chin. He dawned a smile while stroking his head with his hand.
"You gonna stay out here all day, ya?"
Yuna let out a small chuckle as the man approached. "Hi Wakka!" She greeted while lifting herself up to her feet.
"I'm just worried about you, ya. You've been out here every hour of every day for the past week. Aren't you hungry?" Wakka questioned in confusement. His tone was that of a caring older brother and Yuna thought of him as such.
"Awe, I'm so sorry to make you worry, Wakka... It's just..." Yuna stopped herself to gaze at the ground. The taste of discomfort streamed into her mouth.
"... It's Tidus, right?" Wakka added. Yuna gasped. She was shocked about how right Wakka was about her feeling. Regaining her composure, she nodded.
"I miss him.." She whispered. Her eyes began to fill as they did moments ago.
"Yea.. he was a good man." Wakka added. Yuna began to breathe heavily. She tried to hold back her tears, but it just wasn't enough. Wakka noticed her struggle. He embraced her softly. She began to cry harder. "Awe, Yuna... it's ok.. You'll be ok, ya?"
Yuna then let go of Wakka's caring hug and began to shyly wipe away her tears. She turned her focus back to the sea and for a minute, stood silent as if in deep thought.
"Yea..." She finally replied. "I guess you're right." She began to smile.
"Ok... so, you want some food? Lulu's making some of that starfish stuff."
Yuna giggled under her breath. Wakka's ability to quickly change subjects of a serious matter to something not so serious always made her smile.
"I'll be back in a minute..." She let out a small sigh. "I just... want to be alone for a little bit more."
"Oh, ok. I'll see you down there." With that, Wakka disappeared into the forest's depths.
Yuna stood gazing at the endless ocean. She lifted her hand and softly pressed her fingers into her lips. With a small blow, she produced a piercing whistle.
She lowered her hand in disappointment.
"You always said you'd be there..." She spoke to the skies. "That all I had to do... was whistle..." She paused for a moment. "You promised me.. but.. I suppose... sometimes.. promises have to be broken..." She whispered as if speaking to Tidus herself. "So.." She continued. "I guess, this is 'Goodbye'".
She inhaled the scent of sea salt once more.
"Goodbye..." She said trembling. She then turned and headed deep into the forest where Wakka had once come from.
A glimmer of a pyrefly streamed against the grains of sand. A small glimmer of a man. He was crying.