Gasps broke out all around the circle as Yuna stood her ground, jaw clenched tightly as she stared off into the distance with that cold glassy gaze of determination.
Lulu stiffened as her insides filled with trepidation. She hadn't noticed she'd stopped breathing until her lungs started to scream and thud erratically against her ribcage. She continued to stare mouth agape and eyes wide at Yuna in disbelief.
This can't be happening. Yuna did not just announce she'd made the choice to become a summoner, a treacherous journey that would only end in death.
Fury boiled beneath the surface, but she could not bring herself to speak. Instead, it was Chappelle who got to her feet and shouted everything Lulu was feeling.
"Not happening, Yuna. You are too important to too many people. We won't have it! You are like a sister to Lulu and me!"
"Ya! And me!" Wakka chimed in, anger evident in his tone as well.
Many of the villagers nodded and murmured in agreement.
"You're family to so many. You can't throw your life away. We love you too damn much." The aurochs began to cheer when Chappelle finished talking. Many others began to speak all at once. Lulu remained frozen in place, still unable to move as if her body were encased in a spell of ice.
Yuna shook her head furiously, "Enough!" She did not scream, but for Yuna, it was loud and out of character to raise her voice to a mere shrill. "My mind is made. Support me or don't. It is because of your love that I am strong enough to do this. To make this choice. I know… it will be hard. But I will endure. I fight for each of you. I will do my best to beat Sin and continue the calm. I fight for all of Spira. Please, my friends, my family, understand…I must!"
A deadly silence fell a second time that day. Long faces littered the circle as those standing reclaimed their seats and picked at their food without further word. Chappelle plopped ungracefully beside Lulu again, squeezing the mage's shoulder before pulling her into a tight hug. Once again, the blitzer knew exactly what Lulu needed when she needed it.
Instead of rejoining the breakfast, Yuna walked away unhurriedly, head bowed. Lulu's heart sank at the sight. She knew she'd need to talk with Yuna and first do everything in her power to convince Yuna to change her mind. But if unsuccessful, would support the brunette no matter what.
After an awkward morning, Lulu went for a walk on her own. Chappelle didn't stop her, understanding when the mage needed space. Through the town's archway and up the gravel hill she travelled toward the clifftop that held the ancient stones villagers prayed at before making a long journey.
It was no surprise she found young Yuna there in hushed tears. The brunette quickly wiped her face as Lulu approached. "Yuna?"
Slowly, Yuna rose to her feet and turned around. She had been knelt before one of the structures. "I know you are not pleased, Lulu. But still, I must."
The argument inside the alchemist died away when Yuna's tears continued to flow. So instead, she closed the distance between them and pulled Yuna into a hug and let out a long, sad sigh. "Then I will help you."
Yuna pulled back in surprise. "W-what?"
"If the time comes for you to journey. I swear to guard you with my life."
"You wish… to be my guardian?" Yuna's voice dripped with shock.
"Yes. If that day comes. If another summoner does not bring the calm and if the Crusaders do not find a way to rid us of Sin forever. Then yes, I will be your guardian until… the end."
They were both silent a long moment. Lulu thought of Lady Ginnem and wondered if she would ever return for Lulu. The mage had promised to be guardian to her as well. Lady Ginnem's training must have been coming to a close.
"Thank you, Lulu. Thank you for understanding."
With a nod, Lulu pulled Yuna in for another tight hug. "I'm afraid you will have to win over Chappelle and Wakka on your own, however."
Yuna let out a few more strangled sobs. "I don't know if they will ever forgive me."
"Give them time. Although your reasons may be noble, it is hard to take when you are so loved." Lulu wiped away the young teen's tears and led her to the cliff's edge near the roped railing. The small mountaintop overlooked the entire village. Every tent, the temple, and ocean could be seen in all its glory. It was mesmerizing.
Lulu kept a comforting arm draped over Yuna as they stared off into the distance, both deep in thought over Yuna's future.
OoOoO
Lulu sat alone that night staring into the twisting, dancing flames of a great bonfire in the town's center as music played and villagers danced all around. Spirits had lifted as the day wore on. Yuna had stayed out of sight.
Lulu didn't break from her thoughts until someone plopped down on the log beside her with a warm arm draped across her shoulders.
"All done my love," Chappelle announced with a sly smile causing Lulu to lift a brow. The blitzer laughed before explaining. "Wakka just finished helping me move the last of my things inside. You and I are officially roommates."
And for the first time since Yuna's announcement, Lulu smiled a real smile. Without missing a beat, Lulu grasped Chappelle behind the neck and brought her close for the deepest most alluring kiss she could muster.
"I certainly hope we are more than roommates," Lulu joked. "I am so happy, Chappelle. I cannot wait to start this new chapter of our life."
Chappelle smiled and returned the kiss with a passionate assault of her own before whispering in the mage's ear, "Dance with me birthday girl?"
Lulu chuckled and shook her head at first. But she should have known better than to deny Chappelle anything. So instead found herself being led through the sea of dancing bodies seconds later.
Lulu wasn't much of a dancer, but luckily Chappelle was so skilled in the art she could dance around the mage and make them both look good. Lulu kept her hands on her lover's waist while Chappelle grooved and dipped side to side in a most pleasing manner.
She laughed whole heartedly and bobbed her head to the beat of the drums as she swayed back and forth the best she could but the blitzer was the real star. The redhead spun in the mage's arms, rubbing her backside into the mage sending a flurry of fire to Lulu's core.
The more Chappelle ground and danced up against her, the more Lulu's arousal grew. Lulu glanced around to the other participants of the party. Everyone danced with glee filled faces, drunk with pleasure. Certainly, no one would notice their absence, Lulu caught her lover's hand and led them toward the tent.
Led them home.