"Unintentional"
Disclaimer: I do not have any claim on FFX or Squaresoft and am not affiliated in any way.
Tonight there's no denying, no there's no denying,
There's something magic in the air…
Emotional disorder came from out of nowhere
Took me unawares…
Ash – There's a star
She stood at the peak of the temple, watching the day pass her by. Shades of black had merged into blues; the vast expanse of sky occasionally broken by snow-white wisps that danced across the heavens. The blue had also now faded, and the atmosphere shone blood red, burnt with hues of orange. A trickle of salt water made its way down her soft cheek and she wiped it away hastily with vehemence.
Mom –
So lost in her own thoughts was the girl she did not hear his stealthy approach. He studied the lithe figure standing perilously close to the temple's edge. She was perhaps his own age, maybe a year or so younger. Locks of ebony danced in the wind to just below her shoulders, the sun having burnt angry streaks of auburn through the otherwise raven silk. She wore very little for this time of year, a khaki skirt that barely covered her backside was perhaps the most striking piece of apparel, orange stitching highlighting the two pockets on each cheek. Two thin straps held the flimsy chiffon top to her frame, the orange fabric nearly, but not quite, see through. Brown corded boots with a wicked spiked heel encased the girl's legs to round off the outfit, an outfit donned, he assumed, with the sole intention to titillate the male of the species. His laughter rasped quietly as he watched the figure shiver involuntarily and he continued toward her.
"You are cold?" The girl spun at the sound of his voice, nearly losing her balance in her haste. He caught her arm to steady her and grinned in spite of himself. A faint smile graced her lips.
"A little. My own fault though."
Her eyes, two sea green pools that caught and held his attention, struck him. He had thought only the Al Bhed had such eyes, but this girls eyes lacked the tell tale swirl in the pupil, though the colour was identical. He shook his head a little to clear the thoughts from his mind and cleared his throat.
"It is dangerous so close to the edge of the temple."
She looked abashed and grinned at him, her full, rosebud lips curving upwards seductively.
"I know. Maybe that's why I like it here."
"Why are you here?"
She bit her lower lip and looked at the ground before returning her eyes to meet his questioning gaze.
"I, I come here to think. It clears my head."
He took a step forward, concern for the pretty girl etched on his face.
"Why do you need to clear your head?" He asked softly.
"My mother. She passed away on this day a while back." Her voice was a strangled whisper; her body shook gently as she tried to contain the threatening tears.
"How?"
"Sin."
The silence was telling and he shifted uncomfortably. She wiped her face and smiled defiantly.
"But it's in the past, we all have to move on at some point! Why're you up here?"
He stepped back unconsciously, slightly shaken by her optimism.
"I work here. I'm a warrior monk."
She looked at him quizzically before touching his arm in understanding and camaraderie.
"That's not the only reason you're up here though, is it?"
He shook his head, smiling wryly at her astuteness, "I come here to think also."
"What do you need to think on?"
"A proposal."
"Of marriage?" She looked shocked.
"What else?"
"But you can only be, what, eighteen?"
"Seventeen." He stated absently, fiddling with the handle of the earthenware jug that hung loosely at his hip.
"I'm only a year younger and I can't even contemplate marriage just now! I have so much life to live, so much to see and do! Don't you feel the same?"
"I do. But…" He hesitated, unsure as to why he was discussing this with a stranger.
"But?"
He carried on blindly, "It is the hand of the daughter of the maester. If I refuse, I will be disgraced, be forced to leave the ranks of the warrior monks."
"Do you love her?"
He swung his arm, cutting the air, "No!"
She looked at him thoughtfully, mulling his words before continuing.
"Then, why marry her if you don't love her? You'll both be miserable and no job is worth life long misery. Besides, you're too nice to be a warrior monk."
He smiled faintly and digested her words, "Thank you. You have given me much to contemplate. I will deliver my decision to the maester tonight."
He turned to walk away, but something held him back. He spun back to see she was watching the city from her vantagepoint again. The wind picked up and he called to the girl.
"What is your name?"
She turned to face him once more, making a face as she spoke, "Lesca."
"Why the face?"
"Well, wouldn't you hate your name if both you and your sibling were named after Lady Yunalesca?" She stuck out her tongue and he laughed, a deep, gravely noise that pleased her ears.
"I suppose."
"Well?" She looked at him impatiently and he shrugged.
"Well what?
Amusement sparkled in her eyes, "Well, who are you?"
His russet eyes twinkled and he felt his heart lurch within his muscular chest, an unfamiliar feeling which made breathing difficult.
"I am Auron."
She held out her hand, and to her surprise he kissed it rather than performing the perfunctory handshake.
"It is an honour to meet you Sir Auron." She mock curtsied; earning that laugh again, the laugh she had no idea was so rare.
"The honour is mine Lady Lesca. But please, call me Auron."
"As you wish Auron. But only if you drop the lady."
"If I drop you, we will not talk again and I don't think I would like that." He grinned, rubbing his smooth chin thoughtfully.
Her laugh tinkled over the city of Bevelle and he watched her in wonderment.
"Mean! You know what I meant!"
"Of course, Lesca. However, it was too tempting. I could not resist." He realised he was still holding her hand and he dropped it quickly, despairing as a fleeting look of confusion passed over the girls face. She replaced the smile and continued, producing a small scrap of paper and a pen from her pocket.
"Auron? If you decide not to marry the maester's daughter, not that I'm trying to sway you in any way, but if you don't…this is my address. If you want, we could, you know…"
He took the hastily scribbled address and studied it, before folding it with precision and placing it carefully in his robes.
"I would like that very much. If I don't."
"Of course." A pregnant silence fell and both stared off into the horizon. Lesca spoke first, moving to the exit.
"Well, it was great to meet you Auron. If I see you, great! If I don't, don't worry about it and have a great life. See you around!"
"Goodbye." He called after the retreating figure, earning a wave over her shoulder. He felt his heart ache again and he clutched at his chest.
What is this I'm feeling? No matter, the decision must be made and delivered tonight. I only hope that decision is the right one.
He shook his head and headed back to his quarters to inform his friend of his day and his decision. It would not be easy, but Kinoc would understand, they all would. They had to.
A/N: It's just an idea I've had floating about for a while let me know what you think! This will cover the period before, during and after Yuna's pilgrimage and will primarily be a love story between Auron and Lesca. It will also focus on death and betrayal. Thanks!