"Morning, sweetie."

Leiko turned over in her bed. Her mother was standing over her, her hand on her shoulder, shaking her awake.

"Wh-what's going on?" she asked groggily. "Mom, it's the start of spring break. I wanted to sleep in."

"Just be happy you're not in as much trouble," she warned.

Leiko sat straight up. She had almost forgotten about last night. She looked up at her mother cautiously.

"Get up, your dad and I want to talk to you and Alex."

Leiko grimaced.

"Don't worry, don't worry, it's not as bad as you think," she said, somehow distant. She left and Leiko got dressed. When she stepped outside of her door, it was to find Alex leaning halfway down the steps, straining to listen in on the conversation downstairs. Leiko gave a small cough and he jumped. His eyes were bloodshot and there were bags underneath them. He shot a scathing look at his sister.

"You scared me," he whispered.

"Yeah well maybe you deserve it. You shouldn't be listening in."

"I'm just making sure we aren't walking into a minefield," he said.

"It's wrong," Leiko tried to argue, but her curious face betrayed her. Alex sneered in delight.

"They're just talking about going to a market in Spira," he said.

"Do you know which one?"

"Maybe if you two get down here we could tell you!" shouted their mother.

They begrudgingly walked downstairs with guilty faces on. Their father was sitting at the dining room table, resting his chin in his hands, while their mother was sitting next to him, her legs jumping up and down. It was a nervous habit of hers. Their father gazed at them wearily. He looked as tired as Alex.

"I suppose you've heard where we're going today," he said.

They simply nodded. He continued.

"I also suppose it's good that you've taken an interest in where I came from, but…" He paused for a second, then gave them a calculating look. "I doubt that's why you're really going there."

They shuffled their feet, looking at the floor. Their father was right, as always.

"It's just… we have friends there too, you know?" said Leiko.

"Vidina, Braska, Jecht and I love Blitzball, and Leiko and Aura like to hang out. What's the harm? We're not doing anything," argued Alex.

Their mother closed her eyes in thought. "We're not really objecting to you going there, so much, it's just that… it's…" She looked at them with concern. "It's dangerous."

"We want to get you weapons," their father blurted.

Of all things, they were not expecting to go to Spira for that.

"Weapons?" Alex whined, worry and hope in his voice at the same time.

Their parents nodded.

"What kind of weapons?" asked Leiko.

"Defense, I'd prefer. I don't think you should buy fiend-hunting tools," their dad said.

The kids looked to their mother.

"Your father knows Spira more than any of us here. If it's what he thinks is right," she hesitated, clearly worried. "I'll support it."

Leiko and Alex gave high-fives, whooping, but their joy was short-lived. Their father stood up and looked them in the eyes.

"We're coming with you," he said.

The kids groaned.