Chapter Six :: Possibilities
***
The morning was radiant and warm - Tidus had felt it as soon as he walked out to the open air coming from his ajar window which he had left open before he fell asleep the previous night. The sun had been glowing vibrantly, leaving a warm feeling on Tidus' face, fully aware of his heart beating to the minutes of the tournament today.
The tournament.
He had quickly changed out of his nightclothes and started a warm shower - although there was plenty of time to get ready before heading out to Luca stadium to play, he just wanted to make sure he was in the front lobby of the hotel, just in time for a group breakfast along with Wakka and Rikku. As the water began to pour swiftly from the shower head, he stepped into the shower - the hot water shocking his down his head. Sending the steamy water down his bare back. He closed his eyes as the water began to devour him, his hair wet from it. Despite the heat of the water that was covering his face, wiping away the midst of sleep, Tidus already began to smile, knowing that the start of the day was going so far - very smoothly.
***
It took quite a while for Yuna to wake up and dress early for this afternoon's occasion at Luca stadium. Especially with the ensemble that Seymour had given to her just last night. Although she disagreed with Seymour's lack of taste in fashion, she had to admit that the ensemble Seymour had given her was beautiful. It wasn't skimpy as the last outfit had been, and it looked comfortable. She took notice however, how simple the outfit had looked - but how complicated it was to get it ready and right. It annoyed Yuna - thinking of the years of servants dressing her up like a little toy doll, like a little 2 year old. But since her stay alone in her own cabin, she decided it'd be best to dress up herself.
'That'll show them, that I can do this all myself,' she thought to herself, feeling satisfied with her decision of dressing up. Besides, how hard could it be?
Not too easy.
Although the ensemble was fairly simple and Yuna had correctly pieced the outfit together, the dark purple skirt rimmed with floral patterns had passed down her feet, the full skirt a bit longer than it seemed to be, causing Yuna to trip over the hem of the skirt, stumbling right down onto the wooden floor. She groaned in frustration and the slight pain on her leg that she had landed on.
'First Seymour gives me an outfit that showed so much skin, it seemed like I didn't have any clothes at all. But compared to this - I am fully clothed, and yet it just so happens that the skirt is longer than my own legs!' she cried thoughtfully.
As she stood up again to whirl herself in front of her own full length mirror, she yelled at herself to stop complaining. Taking back one good look at herself before messing with her soft, thin hair.
'You have other things to worry about,' she said to herself, as she braided a small strand of hair, wrapping colorful threads of purple and violet around it. 'Like forgetting the marriage to Seymour. And going off to study to become as summoner.' Her eyes grew wide, knowing today was the second day she was here in Luca - and she still hadn't said anything yet about the subject to Yunalesca. After the scene yesterday in the restaurant - she had been too angry to think about talking with her, trying to settle an agreement. Instead she decided to stay alone in the Luca lodge, one of the finest and most luxurious hotels in Spira - alone. Even though she was alone in her own cabin room, Yunalesca was only one floor up from her room - meaning if she ever caught Yuna doing what she wasn't suppose to, heads will be rolling - and that's hers alone.
All of this supplement of accommodations, all thanks to Seymour. This made Yuna shrinkle her nose up as she adjusted her top which exposed a little bit of her back. Yuna supposed Seymour was the type who tries to win the affection and love by wealth. Trying to buy her love for him. He did spend a very good amount of fortune for her - but Seymour didn't seem to even think about feelings for Yuna. He hadn't even say 'I love you' like almost every couple says to one another, not even once. Strange that mother wanted her to marry a Guado who has no pure touch of emotions for Yuna. Which just suited her just fine.
She didn't have feelings for Seymour neither - for someone to capture Yuna's true heart had to require understanding, care, and devotion. She hadn't seen those qualities in Seymour yet. As she added her soft black boots for a finishing touch, she twirled once more before herself in her full length mirror, careful not to trip over the fullness of her skirt again.
As she felt reassured that she was prepared, she nodded, as she left and locked her room cabin, waiting for further notice as the blitzball tournament was just around the corner.
***
Without missing out on the excitement and nerve-racking event that was to take place this afternoon, or the hearty breakfast he had with Wakka and Rikku, Tidus took another step to the area of Luca stadium. He looked up above the clear skies, seeing the clear dome he had once seen the day he had first came here. The dome taking the sunlight with its beauty, shining continuously. Tidus smiled, he couldn't wait.
"Ey Tidus! We better head to our locker rooms ya?" Wakka called out, Rikku beside him smiling at the beauty of the stadium as well. Tidus looked back at them, nodding with a charming grin.
"Can't wait!" he said back as he ran to catch up with the other team mates. He ran up the steps quick and fast paced, laughing as Wakka and Rikku tried to challenge him.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Rikku squealed.
"Me too, brudda!" Wakka followed.
***
It was another dreadful debut, for her second stay in Luca.
Yuna didn't like the feeling of being in the large stadium, although she had found its beauty appealing and radiant
It hadn't been very comforting when Yunalesca had appeared from her cabin room doorway...before she had even step another foot near the lobby of the hotel she had been staying in. Luckily however, Yunalesca had decided to invite Lulu along as well which made her heart leap up with relief - she was glad someone who had liked exposing her emotions and respected her opinions. A real rarity in the class she was in.
"Well?" she had heard a voice, the sound of a quiet smile appearing on her dark features, Yuna turned grinning as well.
"Well what?" Yuna asked, using hand gestures as if to say 'I have no idea'.
Lulu brushed off her new dark red dress, a stunning new feature that had left Yuna in great awe. She had never seen her guardian wear something more brighter than the other black dress - a dress that Lulu had cherished deeply. The one Lulu had on currently was in a pure sense of elegance just as it had added more of a gothic tune - something that Yuna had loved about Lulu's sense of style.
'It must be great not caring what people think about you,' Yuna had thought about the eyes staring at Lulu, but she knew that Lulu would change for no one.
No one.
"Well are you ready?" Lulu asked smiling referring to this afternoon's occasion, which left Yuna to sigh and laugh at the same time. She wasn't looking forward to the whole ceremony before the game, in which Seymour has announced the grand occasion and his announcement of marriage to her. It seemed like he was going to show her off - show off how young and capable she could continue living her life before being off to marry. She could think up so many reasons to not marry to a Guado - one including to find one true love, becoming a summoner, and actually live up to do whatever she chooses. Somewhat doing her own decisions.
But she had other things to worry about, starting now.
Finally with a false smile she said softly
"I suppose so..."
***
It had been nearly 30 minutes in the locker room - with pure silence and noise of careful movements making Tidus shiver with tension.
Tidus propped a hand on his chin as he leaned into the wall, along with Rikku who was currently crouching down as she waited - waiting for the upcoming opponent in today's bound. Wakka had left early as soon as he met up with all the Besaid team members in the lockers, telling them that he would be back in a flash which meant a sign that he was to check up with today's match ups. It was something that they had all sensed, knowing Wakka; it wasn't too hard to tell.
Tidus then bounced on his toes relieving all the tension and nervous emotions out of him, releasing a breath he had held for quite a while now. He thought about the people gathering around in the stadium, the seats occupied with anticipated fans, cheering and anxiously awaiting their favorite teams.
And not forgetting, Yuna. Making Tidus even more nervous, despite the excitement coming from his chest.
Rikku sighed, scratching her head with confusion.
"What's taking him? All he really needs to do is run up there and tell us -"
"The team that we will be facing is the Al Bhed Psyches! If we win, we get to go the semi-finals tommorow!" Wakka bursted out of the locker room entrance door, his face completed with a broad grin.
The Besaid Aurochs looked up seeing their coach with a complete feeling of victory, all of them smiling and nodding their heads in approval. They were completely sure to have the opposing team beat.
"All right! Then afterwards, it's party time!" Rikku exclaimed with a cheery taunt, jumping in the air and raising her hand as if she already defeated the opponents all by herself.
"We got this one beat, I know for sure!" Tidus said afterwards, placing his hand in the middle - everyone else did too, lapping their hands on top of his. Counting to three, all of them raising their hands high, cheering and applauding. Afterwards running outside the locker room doors.
It was time to blitz.
***
Yuna sat upright in the balcony high above, gulping. Looking down at the mere height of how she was. Yunalesca and Lulu stood the opposite of her, busy in a conversation. She sighed; guess Lulu would be busy for now. Instead her attention stood into the stadium was brightly lit by the sun, the people cheering non stop. What she then realized immediately then was if she had fell from up above, she would be injured severely, thus making her step back...only to hit her back into Maester Seymour's chest.
Yuna falsely looked surprise, "You scared me." she replied only to receive a chuckle from the Guado.
"There's only a minute left before we start the ceremony. Everyone shall watch." Taking her hand with both of his hands - or claws actually. Kissing the palm, with a twinkle in his eyes that Yuna despised.
'That's great,' Yuna thought as she rolled her eyes.
Before she could do anything else, she was dragged with her hand by Seymour leading her out to the crowd near the balcony. She closed her eyes as he pulled her forcefully, almost stumbling as she walked. Seymour then pushed her, making sure she was given enough attention as all eyes were on her. She glanced around, noting how quiet it had just started off to be - the hundreds or maybe even thousands of eyes watching her...Then hearing the fainted steps of an older man, she turned beside her only to see Maester Mika giving her a gentle grin - patting her hand, now. Announcing in a small, quiet voice - he raised his hands to speak:
"Citizens of Luca! Today on this bright and glorious day, players from all over Spira have assembled here to participate on this great contest of bravery, skill, and strength. All of these teams, equally renowned, deserve to win the cup - each and everyone of them. Such is the nature of this contest. Let us spectators, play our role accordingly. Let us sing to the glory and victory of the winners, and applaud equally valor of the defeated."
With Seymour at his left, Seymour then bowed, kneeling to do the Yevon prayer gesture which everyone repeated to do the same as well.
"Players, may Yevon be with you all," Seymour then stood up straight, looking at one of the guards he took a small dove from one of them, the dove sitting into his palm. But before he tried to complete anything else, he turned to Yuna - instead, giving her the dove into her smaller hand.
Her face was confused, arching an eyebrow as she looked into Seymour's eyes, then returning her vision back to the white dove that had fit right into her palm. It was a tradition to let the small dove flee into the air, giving the sign that it was peaceful and ready to start off the tournament willingly. The small dove representing the new born, that shall be soon released. She looked at the dove once more, carefully studying the elegance and beauty of it. Possibility that by the time she had released the dove, she would held herself from the tears coming from her eyes, wishing that she was the dove - to be left free, to fly away and believe.
"Release the dove, Yuna. So we shall start off the tournament." Seymour replied as Maester Mika and he walked out of her way, ordering her to go to the direction he was leading her to.
She nodded, stepping only a few steps, careful not to look down - her hands lifted up into the high air, the feathers of the dove tickling her to release it for freedom. She noticed the cheerful audiences' eyes catching up to her expression, everyone awaiting the small bird to fly away into the open sky.
She closed her eyes, whispering softly. "Believe..." as she let go of the dove, watching it flap its wings spread out as it glided through the air, unbeknownst of the blue eyes staring at her from below the arena.
END CHAPTER 6
---------------------------------------------