Here's another chapter this weekend. I'm feeling genrous because it's christmas.
All the way back to town Wakka kept shooting Tidus concerned looks. The blitzer ignored them but he wasn't surprised. He given them quite a start by yelling the way he did but he felt better for it. What he really felt like was smacking a Blitzball around but that would have to wait. He remembered once as a kid being so angry with his father that he kicked his Blitzball so hard it had burst. His father had laughed but, in retrospect, Tidus had to grudgingly concede that his father had been impressed. He'd only been six after all.
As they reached the town it was late afternoon and Tidus was once again amazed at the rate the town was being repaired. They'd only been gone several hours and already he could see an improvement.
He turned to Yuna as they walked, "Um, so every time you visit a temple you get a new Aeon?" he questioned.
"Yes," Yuna replied, "The Aeon of Kilika is a fire Aeon called Ifrit."
"Oh, that explains it," Tidus commented, "I wondered what was with all the fire."
Yuna laughed and nodded in agreement. As they walked through town Tidus was surprised to note they were headed for the dock and the ferry.
"Off to Luca at last," Wakka said, sounding enthusiastic but also a tad nervous.
"We're leaving? Isn't it a bit late?" Tidus asked. The sun had already begun to set.
"We'll sail over night," Wakka told him as they reached the ferry, "We'll arrive tomorrow morning just in time for the tournament. No time for warm-ups, so we'll rest up on the way ya?"
Tidus nodded in agreement. He noticed as they boarded the boat the Luca Goers were already on board as was another team of Blitzball players. This team had a brightly coloured uniform of green and red. Wakka informed him they were the Kilika Beasts also headed for the tournament as the Aurochs and Goers were. As they pulled out of Kilika port, night was just beginning to fall and Tidus, who sat down below, looked with interest at the interaction between the three teams. The Aurochs and Beasts didn't seem to mind one another but the looks that passed between the Aurochs and the Goers could have melted steel. It reminded Tidus of the rivalry between the Abes and the Duggles.
The blitzer sighed and stood, stretching. He needed to get his mind off thoughts of his home if he was to concentrate on the tournament the next day. He imagined they had to be very few teams in Spira for a tournament to be held in one day. A game of Blitzball wasn't long, even the best players couldn't hold their breath for that long, but even so, the tournaments in Zanarkand had taken much longer. There was a team for each sector of the city as well as minor private teams.
Tidus shook his head as he exited the cabin in which the players were sleeping into the main foyer below deck, where he'd met Luzzu and Gatta on their last trip. The blitzer was not surprised to see the two crusaders at their posts on this trip as well, still guarding whatever was behind the double wooden doors. He gave them a smile and turned for the stairs which led up on deck and crashed into someone.
He opened his mouth to apologise but the person he'd bumped into gripped him by the upper arms.
"But soon," O'aka told him fervently, apparently in limbo since their last conversation, "The name O'aka will be known throughout the land."
"What?" Tidus tried to extract himself from the little merchant grasp.
"Say, lad," O'aka gave him a bright look, "You wouldn't have some Gil to lend would you?"
Tidus almost laughed then stopped as it occurred to him that O'aka probably wasn't the best merchant in Spira. Of course as the star player of the Zanarkand Abes he was, theoretically, loaded but most of his money was tied up in investments but, even if it hadn't been, it wouldn't have helped him then and there. He doubted there was even a bank in Spira.
"Sorry, I don't have any money," he told O'aka finally freeing himself and making to leave.
The merchant suddenly gave him a close look, "Say, you aren't the lad that washed up in Besaid, are you? All the crew on the last ferry was talking about you," he said.
Tidus was surprised, "Really? Yeah, that's me," he added.
O'aka grabbed his hand in both of his, "Blessings be upon thee sir," he cried, "If ye need anything, and I mean anything, you can always count on O'aka to help you out," he paused, "At a discount o' course."
"Right," Tidus said with a wry smile. He pulled his hand free, "See you around."
O'aka smiled merrily at him as the blitzer made his to the stairs. He was just about to climb them when he spotted a door to one side of the stairs, above it a plaque announced "Engine Room". Tidus paused, curious about what kind of engine the ferry would have, he wandered into the room. Upon entering he stopped and stared for a full minute. He would have stared for longer but a woman noticed him and gave him a sharp look.
"Can I help you?" she demanded.
Tidus looked at her then back to the 'engine'. If he'd been asked to describe what he'd expected it wouldn't have come close to what he seeing. About four giant cylinders made of a type of leather lay on their sides attached by belts to a complicated jumble of shafts. It reminded Tidus of hamster wheels but, instead of hamsters, giant yellow birds ran endlessly on them, pumping the shafts which no doubt turned the wooden water wheels on either side of the boat.
"Er, what's with the big birds?" Tidus asked.
The woman frowned, "What's so strange about chocobo power?" she countered.
Tidus looked at her, "Chocobo? These are chocobos?" he questioned.
"Yes," the woman sounded irritated.
"Right," Tidus began to back out of the room, "Just checking," he added as he closed the door behind him. He paused for a moment outside the room wondering if his trip could get any weirder. Deciding he needed some fresh air more than ever he headed up on deck. Upon reaching the top of the stairs the first thing he saw was a group of people on the aft deck talking to Yuna in the failing light. Amongst them were the two of the Luca goers, one being the red haired captain. Tidus made a face but wandered up anyway. Kimahri stood behind the young summoner shooting the crowd of people feral looks.
Tidus grinned at the prospect of the Ronso being hostile toward somebody other than himself "What you all talking about?" he questioned by way of announcing himself. Yuna smiled at him but the two Goers turned and gave him scathing looks.
"Who are you supposed to be?" the red haired captain sneered.
The other Goer leaned toward his captain, "I remember him, Bickson," he said before Tidus could say anything, "Guy from Kilika."
"Hmm?" the player named Bickson frowned.
"You know, one of the Besaid Aurochs. Said something about winning the cup," the other player added.
Bickson turned an even more scathing look on Tidus, "Oh yeah, you're that idiot," he said.
"Don't call him that!" Yuna interrupted suddenly, with a frown.
"But he is an idiot," Bickson retorted, "They don't got what it takes to win the cup."
Tidus made a face, "Well, they do now that I'm here," he told them.
"Yes!" Yuna agreed, "They will win. He used to be the star player of the Zanarkand."
There was a moment of silence after Yuna's statement. Tidus grimaced slightly, knowing what was coming next. The two goers snickered.
"Yeah, as if anyone lived in those ruins," the other player muttered to himself.
Yuna frowned, giving the player a cold look, "It's not ruins," she said forcefully, "There a big city there. There is."
The two goers exchanged looks.
Tidus felt moved to explain, "I got to close to Sin-," he started.
"There is a city, really!" Yuna repeated, looking out over the water.
Bickson gave a slightly mocking bow, "Right. Whatever your ladyship says," he muttered before he and the other goer wandered off. The other people dispersed then too mainly because Kimahri was beginning to look antagonistic.
Tidus hesitated before approaching Yuna, "What's wrong?" he asked, when he did, "You seemed kinda mad back there."
Yuna frowned and continued to stare over the dark waters, "They were being rude and…" she trailed off then looked at him fervently, "I do believe your Zanarkand exists. I really do."
Tidus marvelled at the confidence in her eyes, "How come?" he felt moved to enquire.
Yuna looked down and smiled, "Sir Jecht used to always tell me stories," she said, staring into memory, "It'd be great to see your home someday. I'd…love to go there."
Tidus nodded and looked at his feet, "Yeah," he murmured. He would have liked nothing better than to show Yuna Zanarkand and his home but at that moment Tidus was beginning to doubt very much that he even had a home to show her. Yuna had returned her gaze to the open water and the blitzer got the sense she wanted to be alone. She was so deep in thought, she didn't even notice when he wandered off.
Tidus gave a sigh as he weaved his way around the people on the deck. He found it ironic that, having lived his whole life in a highly populated city, he was now feeling uncomfortable in the presence of too many people. Glancing to the upper deck he saw there appeared to be no one up there so he made his way to the stairs leading upward. Halfway up he heard voices and paused. He recognized the voices as Lulu and Wakka's and, by their tone, the conversation was serious.
Tidus turned to descend once more when Lulu's last statement drifted onto the edge of his hearing, "Well! Say something. You'll take responsibility?" she was demanding. Tidus paused, what had Wakka done?
"Relax," the Blitzball captain placated, "He's bound to know someone in Luca."
Tidus frowned at this. They were discussing him and, even though he'd not usually eavesdrop, he told himself if it was regarding him, he had the right to know. He ignored the little voice telling him he was being obstinate again. He sat on the stairs, half way up, and listened.
"And if not?" Lulu was questioning.
"What do you want me to do?" Wakka wondered out loud. Tidus could picture him giving a casual shrug.
"Yuna wants to make him a guardian," Lulu said quietly.
"Oh yeah, geez…" Wakka sounded glum, "There's that too, eh?" Tidus frowned at this, what was the problem with him being around Yuna. The two guardians seemed adverse to him talking or being around the young summoner. He wondered briefly if they thought he was a bad influence.
"And whose fault is that?" Lulu's cutting tones interrupted his thoughts.
"Not mine," Wakka said indignantly. There was a pause in which Tidus could practically feel the heat of the glare she must have been directing at the captain, "It is mine, huh?" he added after a moment.
There was a slight lull in the conversation and Tidus almost stood to leave but Wakka piped up again.
"Why do you think she wants to make him a guardian, anyway?" he asked.
"Because he's Sir Jecht's son," Lulu replied softly. Tidus frowned at this, wondering not for the first time why Yuna thought so highly of his father.
"Oh, right," Wakka murmured. Pause, then, "Wait, you sure 'bout that? He really Sir Jecht Son?"
Lulu seemed to hesitate, "Hard to say," she said truthfully, "Yuna seems to believe so." Tidus wasn't surprised they weren't sure. All the information they'd received from him was conflicting at best. He still had trouble believing his father was the same Jecht that had been Braska's guardian.
"Okay," Wakka said amiably.
"Okay?" Lulu said scathingly, "Okay? That's all you have to say?"
"Well, yeah…I mean," Wakka paused, "His gotta decide for himself, ya? Well, him and Yuna, I guess."
"You're right for once," Lulu commented lightly.
"Ahem," Wakka joked.
Tidus felt a bit better for Wakka's comment. It was Yuna's decision and Tidus really didn't understand their aversion to it.
"I wonder which is best," Lulu voice drifted over, sounding pensive, "Why don't you tell him he should?"
Tidus looked upward in surprise, now she didn't mind? If fact she seemed to want him to be a guardian, by her tone.
"Should what?" Wakka asked, a bit slower on the uptake.
"Be Yuna's guardian," Lulu clarified.
"Why me?" Wakka wondered. Tidus echoed his thoughts but the answer wasn't what he expected.
"Because Yuna can't," Lulu said.
"Why not?" Wakka questioned.
Lulu paused then answered, "He hates his father…what he was, what he did," she explained, "Do you really think she can possibly say to him 'I want you to be my guardian, like your father was to mine'?"
"Aren't you being over sensitive?" Wakka asked. Tidus heard the black mage give an irritated sigh, "Alright, alright," the Blitzball captain amended, "I'll try talking to him after the tournament."
"Be discreet," Lulu advised.
"I know, it's his decision," Wakka agreed.
Lulu must had have nodded for she made no comment. After a pause Wakka spoke up again.
"He doesn't like his father?"
"Apparently," Lulu answered, "He told Yuna as much."
"Hating your own father, huh?" Wakka sounded a bit bitter to Tidus' ears, "Sounds like a luxury to me. I don't even remember my parents, can't say how I feel about 'em."
"I…I was five then," Lulu said hesitantly, "So I remember mine a little."
"Damn it," Wakka growled suddenly, "Sin just…takes everything away from us."
Lulu didn't answer and Tidus suddenly felt like he was really intruding. Standing he crept back down the stairs and moseyed toward the foredeck of the ferry. He thought about what he'd heard with a puzzled frown. Lulu and Wakka had seemed to be both for and against him being a guardian, at the same time. It seemed to him that they wanted him to be a guardian as much as Yuna but something swayed them against it. Tidus wished he knew what it was.
Running the overheard conversation through his mind he came to the comment about him hating his father. Tidus' pace slowed as he considered this.
For a long time he'd been so determined to hate his father that he now had trouble deciding whether his feelings toward Jecht were hate or merely resentment.
Not that it matters, he thought sourly. The blitzer looked down as his foot connected with something briefly, a Blitzball. Looking around he saw no one that it could belong to, so he took two steps toward where he'd accidentally kicked it and placed a foot upon it. Automatically he slid his foot down the side and underneath, expertly flipped it upward into his waiting grasp. The action had come instinctively and the comfort of it made Tidus smile briefly.
Inevitably his thoughts returned to his father. He remembered the one day, back in Zanarkand, when he'd first had the courage to try his father's legendary shot. He'd thought his father wasn't around but as he tried, and failed, to do the shot, Jecht's mocking laughter had interrupted him as he climbed back to his feet.
"Trying to follow in my footsteps are, you," his father had said with a smirk, "I usually charge for lessons you know. That shot is done like this."
His father had promptly executed the shot with perfect balance and style, all the while wearing a superior smirk. Tidus could only look on enviously as the resentment welled up inside him like poison.
Tidus realized he was glaring at the Blitzball he held, lost in memory. Coming to a decision he placed the ball on the deck. He'd seen his father's patented shot done many times before but he'd never had the guts to try it, since that day.
No more, he thought fiercely. Backing up a few steps he took a deep breath then striding forward kicked the ball with a crack like a whip. His aim was true and the ball rebounded off the steps to the bow of the ship. As the ball sailed back toward him, Tidus bunched his fist and gave the Blitzball another resounding strike. The ball once again ricocheted off the steps but this time he'd hit it at such an angle as to make it arc slightly upward.
Leaping a few feet into the air Tidus snapped his head forward and headed the ball back toward the step. Landing nimbly Tidus immediately went into a crouch and, pushing off the deck, rebounded high into the air. As he reached the apex of his jump, the ball, which had been rebounded at a slightly more extreme arc, came within range. Twisting his body, Tidus spun at an extreme speed a few times then, lashing out with a foot and the momentum behind the rotations, he volleyed the ball with a last resounding crack, which echoed over the still waters like a gunshot. The ball sailed out over the open water as Tidus landed lightly back on the deck.
The blonde blitzer stared after the lost Blitzball in wonder. He felt as though he'd broken through some kind of barrier. Slowly a grin crept onto his face.
"Whoa," a voice interrupted his thoughts of glee. It turned out to be Wakka, flanked by a few of the Aurochs, "What's that called?"
Tidus paused, "It doesn't have a name," he said eventually, "Anyone can do it if they try."
"Show us one more time, ya?" Wakka said. Datto came forward and handed him another Blitzball. Tidus looked at the ball and gave a genuine smile. Placing it on the deck he backed up a few steps, the Aurochs and Wakka took this as sign and also backed up to a safe distance. Tidus looked around before going for the ball and noticed Yuna standing a short distance away; she waved. Tidus smiled and, turning to the ball, gave it a calculating look.
A few moments later Wakka and others crowded around him, "I knew it!" Wakka crowed, "I knew you were something special."
The other Aurochs had acquired yet another Blitzball and were trying their hand at the shot. Wakka quickly joined them enthusiastically. Tidus watched them for a moment, marvelling at how he'd boosted their confidence with a simple statement, when he remembered the other spectator. Turning, he saw Yuna standing against the railing, giving him a thoughtful look.
Tidus sent over a grin before approaching. Yuna returned the smile as he neared, although hers was a knowing smile.
"That was the Jecht Shot, wasn't it?" she said. Her tone suggested it wasn't a question.
Tidus frowned, "How'd you know that?" he asked but with the feeling he already knew the answer.
"Sir Jecht showed it to me when I was a child," Yuna explained, confirming his suspicions, "He called it 'The Sublimely Magnificent Jecht Shot Mark III'," she laughed.
Tidus snorted and leaned against the wooden railing, "Stupid name, huh?" he said, then paused in thought, "You know what? There is no Mark I or Mark II. My old man said the name Mark III was just something to hook the crowd. He said they'd come back every night expecting to see Mark I and Mark II.," he scowled, "And, they really did come back. I used to get…so mad."
Yuna giggled lightly at this. Tidus looked at his shoes, falling into silence for a moment.
"Is he alive, you think?" he asked suddenly trying to sound blithe and failing miserably.
"I don't know," Yuna answered truthfully, "But Sir Jecht was my father's guardian."
Tidus gave a sigh, "So he's famous here too?" he only half asked, pushing himself away from the railing.
"Yes," Yuna confirmed, "So…if anything happened to him, I should think word would get around pretty fast."
"Uh-huh," Tidus agreed only half listening. Mostly he was wondering about the prospect of his father being alive.
"What would you do if you found him?" Yuna asked.
Tidus thought about it for a moment, "Who knows? I thought he died ten years ago," he answered then paused, "I'd probably just smack him one," he said truthfully punching the air for emphasis. Yuna looked surprised at this.
"After everything he put Mom and me through…" he paused, aware that he was being extremely candid, "And because he was famous, I was always…" he stopped and gave Yuna a thoughtful glance, "You should know Yuna."
The summoner frowned, giving him a questioning look.
"Your father's famous too," he explained, "Everyone in Spira knows him, right? Ain't it tough?"
Yuna gave this due consideration, "It is hard to follow in his footsteps as a summoner," she conceded.
"Sure," Tidus agreed.
"But the honour of having a father like him surpasses all that, I think," she added.
Tidus made a face, "Well, there wasn't much to honour about my old man, that's for sure," he said bluntly.
Yuna gave him a reproachful look, "You shouldn't say that about your father," she told him.
Tidus frowned, "I got the right," he said, a little more brusquely than he intended.
"I guess you do," Yuna agreed, lowering her gaze.
Tidus opened his mouth to apologise for his harsh words but before he could say a word, something collided with his elbow, interrupting him. He looked down at the Blitzball, now skittering across the deck, then up at Wakka who stood with the other Aurochs at the bow of the ship.
"Show me that move again," Wakka yelled across the deck.
Tidus gave a half grin, "Yo," he called in affirmation. He glanced to Yuna but found she'd disappeared in the interruption and, with a regretful look in the direction she'd gone; he joined the Aurochs for some practice.
Thanks for reading :)
