"Amira?" asked Leiko uncertainly. Hadn't she heard that name somewhere before…?
The woman smirked, as though she knew what Leiko had been thinking.
"I can see your father in your eyes," she said, crossing the café to stand beside them. "Sharp and determined."
"Y-you know my father?" she stammered.
"Of course! Legendary Guardian Sir Auron – dead twice and still walking this earth."
Leiko and Alex looked at each other.
"Yeah, but, how did you know he was our father?" Alex whispered.
The woman chuckled.
"You were exclaiming 'Dad!' and pointed to the picture," she said, gesturing to the photo of the group. "I know of all of their children, save Sir Auron's," she said. "At least, until now, I suppose." She smiled benevolently, but her gray eyes were sharp and piercing. Alex looked away uncomfortably, but Leiko kept her gaze. Amira…
"Your mother knew my father when they were kids," she said slowly.
"You can tell that from the photograph," the woman said.
Leiko shook her head.
"My father warned me about her."
At this, the woman's face fell a little, though not in fear or hurt, but rather… was it… sadness?
"Ah, my mother, she was brilliant. My grandfather was a rich priest in Bevelle, but my grandmother died when my mother was still very young. She was a Summoner, and died on her pilgrimage."
Leiko and Alex sucked in their breath, but remained silent, allowing the woman to continue.
"When your father's parents died in an attack on their village by Sin, my grandfather, Medwin, brought him to Bevelle. Your father was a rebellious sort, at first," she snickered, "Or so my mother told me. But, he soon excelled. My mother, however, fell in love with him. When the time came for High Summoner Braska to leave on his pilgrimage, my mother, she…" The woman bit her lip, looking away. "She was training to become a Summoner, herself. Not of her own choice, however; my grandfather wanted her to be famous, and glorious, but she did not want to follow that path. And can you blame her? My poor grandmother… But my grandfather wasn't exactly the most moral of men, even for a priest – what am I saying? Especially for a priest. But back then, almost all of them were corrupt, wanting nothing but fame and power even at the cost of others." She sighed, breathing a little before continuing once more. "He wanted my mother to succeed in everything, no matter what. He saw Braska on his way to glory, even as a heretic whose family he despised, while my mother pined away for your father, who himself was preparing to accompany his friend on the pilgrimage. Medwin saw it as the perfect arrangement; have your father marry my mother, thereby ruining Braska's pilgrimage (your father, at the time, was his only Guardian) and allowing her to succeed in hers along with the man of her dreams."
The woman scoffed.
"He soon realized that, if Amira did succeed in her pilgrimage, that her fame would outshine his, despite the blood connection and her death. But, after careful consideration, he discovered that he could manipulate my mother into giving up her pilgrimage if he arranged her marriage to Auron. Therefore, he would still have the best of both worlds; father-in-law to a talented Warrior Monk whose promotion after the marriage would make both of them more famous, while Braska's mission failed without a Guardian. Your father, however, in a bold move, rejected the proposal. Not only did he lose his promotion to the less talented Wen Kinoc, but his favor with the Temple of Yevon as well. He and Braska were well suited for each other by then!" She laughed, but stopped almost immediately. "Forgive me," she said.
Leiko and Alex both shook their heads, willing her to go on.
"After your father's rejection and news of his apparent death, my mother – to put it plainly – went crazy. She gave up on her Summoner's training and got into politics. When he returned, scarred and bitter, she didn't get a chance to see him, but hope burned in her heart. But ah, he died again, and nearly three years later came back with your mother." She waved a hand towards the group photo they had seen earlier. "She tried to kill them with a wyrm – didn't work. She tried to kill them at Mt. Gagazet – didn't work. Eventually, she gave up, and, after your parents' marriage, wedded a guard and had me a year later. So, you see, I know much of your father's history, even if only through my mother's stories."
Leiko shook her head in confusion.
"But, the times don't match up. If your mom married after my parents did and then had you, you would be about my age, or Alex's."
She nodded.
"I am 16. Just… older."
"Huh?" Alex tilted his head. "I don't get it."
"I had the highest education available through my mother's connections, so I know much more than my peers, however, I didn't quite age gracefully."
"I'll say!" he snapped. "I thought you were 30!"
Leiko drove her elbow into his side and he fell off. The woman only smiled.
"Luca does that to you," she said. "Amongst other things."
The three of them pondered silently, drifting away, until a heavy hand fell on Leiko's shoulder and she nearly jumped into the air. When she whipped around, it was to face Rikku and Senylma, beaming in excitement.
"The boat's come early!" Senylma nearly screamed. "Our cousins are here!"
Alex let go of his hatred for Senylma for a blessed moment as they ran out the door. Leiko stopped in the doorway, then looked back at the woman.
"What happened to your mother, anyway?"
"She and my father still live in Bevelle."
Leiko gave her a sympathetic smile.
"What's your name?" she asked.
The woman smiled.
"Amorona."
Leiko waved goodbye, strangely satisfied and saddened at the same time.