A note from the Hime no Argh herself–
Welcome (again) to Waking Dreams, the FFX fic with now weekly updates!! ::blows party horns:: For a little while, anyway. ^^; Well, it might go on for a while, I've got a bunch of chapters written already and a bunch more on the way. So everyone seemed to like my attempt at romance, which made me very happy. ^^ ::blows party horns again and throws confetti:: Hope you like this chapter too! (And the next, and the next, and the next, etc.)
Last week I finished Kingdom Hearts just in time to get The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (woot!). Ah, video games–such a good time, such a good waste of time. Who else thinks FFX-2 needs to come out faster?
Well, in the meantime, at least there's all our beloved fics to read. ^^; Hope you like this one!
* * *
Chapter 18
The Pendant
The hut Lulu and Rikku shared in the village by the sea was the perfect size for two women, but with Lulu, Rikku, Wakka, Auron, Jecht, and Kimahri crammed inside, perched on every available surface, "crowded" was an understatement.
"Don' ever let nobody git you scared a' death, 'cause it really ain't that bad," Jecht was explaining wisely to Wakka and Rikku, his fascinated audience. "I mean, the Farplane's a nice place t' be, ya know? Nothin' t' worry 'bout, just one big ocean of happiness–"
"Doesn't it get boring?" Rikku said frankly.
Jecht blinked. "'Course not. It's the Farplane. The Farplane don't get borin'."
"But if it's just one big ocean of happiness and nothing ever changes, how could it not get boring?" Rikku persisted.
Jecht scratched his head, perplexed. "Ah, can't explain it, really," he admitted. "You jest gotta see fer yerself. Hopefully not soon," he added with a laugh.
"...and things simply fell apart after the fall of Bevelle and the priests." In a corner opposite Jecht and his audience, Lulu was busily catching Auron up on Spira as Kimahri listened attentively. "I don't think anyone realized what influence they had over the ruling bodies of Spira. It was an oligarchy if I ever saw one. Afterwards the states were almost in panic, but they threw together a parliament of sorts in Luca and let the government grow from that. Now we have a representative democracy, or the beginnings of one in any case, with representatives from the major cities and islands all over Spira, excepting Bevelle, who rule themselves. We don't bother them and they don't bother us. Of course, this Yevon Order is of some worry–"
At that moment the door opened a crack, and Tidus stuck his head in. "Is this a private party, or can anyone come?" he asked cheerfully.
For a moment there was complete and utter silence. The stillness was abruptly broken by Rikku, who flew from her seat to fling her arms around Tidus's neck. "You stupid jerk!" she yelled, and promptly burst into tears.
"There's nothing to cry about," Tidus told her, though he hugged her just as hard as she hugged him.
"There's plenty to cry about!" Rikku sobbed, then abruptly let go of him and flew out the door, wailing.
To everyone's surprise Lulu jumped up and hugged Tidus in a similar matter, though without the crying, and fled after Rikku.
"Where's Yuna?" Auron inquired, breaking the silence.
"Oh...she's outside." Tidus jerked his thumb toward the door. "She told me, 'I'll just wait out here, it's you they want to see.'"
Auron nodded. "I'll go say hello, then, excuse me–" He elbowed politely past Tidus and left. Kimahri also left without explanation. Jecht hesitated for a moment, then followed, leaving Tidus and Wakka to size each other up. For a while there was silence.
"You been gone a while, brudda," Wakka said at last. "We missed you."
"I know," Tidus said, unusually quiet. "Wakka, I'm sorry I left."
Wakka blinked at him. "You should tell de girls dat, not me."
"No, I should tell you," Tidus said stubbornly. "The girls don't need to hear it. They already know. I made you lose another–" He hesitated.
"Family member?" Wakka suggested. To Tidus's immense relief, he was grinning. "You're right, you n' me are like bruddas. Dat's why I forgive you. Can't stay mad at family, ya?"
"Thanks," Tidus said quietly.
"No problem. Although," Wakka said thoughtfully, "if you wanna make it up to me, dere is someting you can do."
"Anything," Tidus said immediately.
Wakka grinned. "Play Blitzball for my team?"
Tidus blinked at him, then smiled despite himself. "I'm probably out of practice," he pointed out.
"We can make up for dat," Wakka countered.
Tidus grinned. "That's what I'm afraid of."
* * *
Auron and Jecht found Yuna outside the hut, on one of the walkways facing the ocean, humming quietly to herself. She sensed, rather than heard, their approach, and turned to face them. She didn't look at all surprised.
"Tidus told me you'd come back," she explained as if they'd asked, her voice unsteady. "I guess he thought I'd had enough surprises for one day. Although, I sort of knew already...I had a dream a long time ago, you see. It was what influenced me to start looking for him. I heard you and my father, talking about coming back."
"You dreamed truthfully," Auron told her. "That happened. I remember."
"Yes," Yuna said softly, "and my father didn't want to come back." She swallowed, then added, "How is he? Is he happy in the Farplane with Mother?"
Auron nodded. "He's very happy."
Yuna smiled bravely, though her lips quivered. "I'm glad."
"He wanted us to tell you that he loves you," Auron said, "and that he's very proud of you. No father could be more proud of his daughter."
"Oh. See, I promised myself I wouldn't cry," explained Yuna, looking as though she were about to do just that. She drew in a long, unsteady breath, however, and managed to get herself under control. "It's so good to see you. Both of you," she added, her eyes finding Jecht.
Jecht pushed past Auron and hesitantly approached her. "Damn," he said, sounding choked up. "I remember when you were this tall." He held a hand level with his waist.
Yuna smiled. "It's been fifteen years, hasn't it, Sir Jecht? Disregarding our last meeting, of course," she added anxiously.
"If it's all the same, I'd like t' disregard that forever," Jecht said passionately. "An' none a' that 'sir' crap, alright? Call me Jecht."
Auron elbowed him. "'That sir crap?'" he echoed, the crude words alien on his cultured tongue. "Watch your mouth when you're talking to a lady."
"It doesn't matter," Yuna insisted. "Sir Je–I mean, Jecht is who he is, after all." She smiled shakily. "It's so good to have the two of you back."
"And Tidus?" Auron prodded, hiding a smile as Yuna blushed.
"Of course." She looked at Jecht with open curiosity. "Was he happy? When you returned from the Farplane, I mean?"
Jecht considered that. "Depends on how you define 'happy,'" he said evenly after a moment. When Yuna looked at him, puzzled, he shrugged. "Let's jest say he was happy t'see Auron."
Yuna's face fell. "Oh. You're not getting along?"
"They weren't," Auron replied for Jecht. "Lately, however, they've been frolicking like spring lambs in one another's presence."
"I ain't frolickin' like nothin'!" Jecht squawked, outraged.
Auron grinned. "They get along fine these days."
* * *
With the promise of Tidus to play on his team, Wakka became possessed of a familiar manic training energy, so Tidus resigned himself to a bout of practice with a ball provided by the village children. Yuna stood on the walkway with Lulu and Jecht and watched, the former standing serenely on Yuna's right, the latter fidgeting anxiously at her left.
"Did you want to play too, Jecht?" Yuna asked, guessing the reason for his impatience.
"They need to practice," he said evasively.
But it seemed Tidus noticed as well; he glanced back a few times, then turned to Wakka and said something. Wakka nodded and Tidus looked back.
"Want to play, Dad?" he called.
"Yer numbers'll be uneven," Jecht said anxiously, already straying toward the stairs that led down to the beach.
"Not with me!" said a cheerful voice. Yuna, Lulu, and Jecht turned to see Rikku behind them on the walkway, dressed in a very revealing two-piece bathing garment. She grinned broadly and strutted past them down the stairs. "Coming?" she called to Jecht. He hesitated for a moment, then followed.
"You play?" Tidus asked Rikku, surprised.
"Yep," she said proudly, wading waist-deep into the surf. Tidus tossed her the ball and she bounced it on her head a few times, like a porpoise. "Wakka's been teaching me when we're home on Besaid. I'm not professional yet, but the Aurochs say I'm getting better all the time."
Tidus shrugged. "Works for me. Right, Wakka?" Wakka remained silent, staring at Rikku. Tidus nudged him. "Wakka?"
He blinked. "Wha? Oh–oh, right. Um, yeah, we can play. Um, let's make goals and, um, and teams–"
They all stared at him, even Yuna and Lulu. None of them could remember the last time they'd heard Wakka babble.
"Alright, I'll take the girl," Jecht offered, catching the ball as Rikku tossed it to him.
"Rikku," she said helpfully.
"Rikku," Jecht echoed, nodding. He grinned. "Now we got a game."
Tidus grinned back, fiercely. "You're going down, old man."
"Hah! You wish!"
"Boys and their toys," Lulu murmured to Yuna as the game began, rolling her eyes. "And Rikku, of course."
Yuna smiled. "I'm glad they're all getting along. I wasn't worried about Tidus, but Jecht..."
"Why?" Lulu said practically. "He's very charming."
"I know," Yuna said shyly. "I'm glad they've returned. All of them."
"So am I," Lulu said with a rare smile. "By the way, Kimahri was looking for you."
"Oh," Yuna said sheepishly, "I never even said hello to him. I've been so distracted–"
"I'm sure he'll understand," Lulu assured her.
So Yuna left and went to seek out Kimahri. She finally found him huddled beneath one of the stilted huts, enjoying the cool shade. Kimahri avoided sun when he could, already snug in his shaggy blue fur. He stood watching the ocean, tail waving behind him, but turned as she approached. Yuna was abruptly caught up in a bone-crushing hug.
"Hello, Kimahri," she squeaked. After a moment the Ronso released her, and she was able to breathe again.
"Little Yuna," Kimahri rumbled, petting her hair affectionately. "Kimahri is happy to see."
Yuna beamed up at him. "I'm happy to see you too, Kimahri. How was your visit to Mount Gagazet?"
"Good trip. Kimahri make new statue. Bring present for Yuna." He dug around in a leather pouch as Yuna eagerly held out her hands, like a small child brimming with anticipation. Every year when Kimahri went to Gagazet to honor the fallen Ronso, he brought Yuna a crafted chunk of stone from the statue he built. Last year it had been a tiny granite figurine, carved painstakingly into the shape of a mountain wolf.
Kimahri held a hand over hers and deposited his gift into her palms. "This year special," he said mysteriously, smiling. Curious, Yuna examined her present.
"Oh, Kimahri," she gasped softly.
It was a necklace of a leather thong and a tiny pendant made of a gleaming black stone. The pendant was carved into the sign of the Zanarkand Abes, the same sort of pendant Tidus wore on a chain around his neck.
"I can't believe you did this," Yuna whispered. "This is more than I ever–" He voice caught and she cleared her throat. "Thank you."
Kimahri nodded, pleased, and tied the necklace around Yuna's slim throat, his large fingers surprisingly dexterous. Yuna tucked the pendant into her shirt.
"I'll show him later," she confided to Kimahri. "Right now I'd like–I'd like to keep this close to my heart. For just a little while."
Kimahri understood. He pressed his muzzle to her forehead in a kiss, and they remained for a while in the shade, watching their friends play in the sea. No words were exchanged, nor were they needed.
* * *
Jecht and Rikku gave Wakka and Tidus a thorough thrashing, and were still gloating about it as the afternoon wore into the evening. "This chick's good," Jecht said affectionately of Rikku, his new friend. "You kids oughta let 'er play on yer team, maybe you'd win a game or two." He guffawed loudly.
Rikku protested that she wasn't good enough for the Aurochs, looking immensely pleased that Jecht had suggested it nonetheless. Disgruntled, Tidus and Wakka rolled the ball around in the sand for a while, then recovered enough to help the other two build a bonfire on the beach. Auron and Lulu eventually joined the crowd, followed by Yuna and Kimahri. Rikku disappeared for a few minutes and reappeared dragging Brother along.
"No way!" Tidus exclaimed when he saw the Al Bhed, leaping to his feet. "Is that you, Brother?"
Brother grinned at the sight of him. "Fimlusa pylg," he said with a friendly clap on the shoulder.
Rikku introduced him to Jecht, and Brother joined their circle. The eight of them sat around the fire, eating and talking well into the night. Rikku told ghost stories in Al Bhed that no one could understand but Brother. Several village children came by to hear Jecht's hilarious anecdotes of his memories of Zanarkand and Braska's pilgrimage. Tidus and Wakka alternately listened and argued Blitzball tactics, while Lulu, Auron, and Kimahri ignored them all, immersed in a discussion of Spira's new government, culture, and customs. Yuna simply sat and listened to it all, content to do no more. It felt wonderful to be a group again.
Finally around midnight, when Rikku drifted off to sleep leaning against Jecht, they all decided it might be time to go to bed. They went their separate ways, back to the many guesthouses provided by their generous hosts.
Alone in her room, Yuna immediately changed into nightclothes and went to bed. She was immensely tired, but for some reason unable to sleep. She didn't know what it was–the bed was comfortable, the room quiet, the sound of the waves lulling, yet something kept her awake still. Tired and anxious, she tossed and turned for a while, then finally sat up with an exasperated sigh.
She drew her knees to her chest and stared into the darkness for a long time. Why was she so restless? Why now, when she thought she had finally found some peace? She sighed wearily and, as if the motion were born of instinct, put a hand to her throat. Her fingers snagged the leather thong around her neck, brushing over the cool black stone of the pendant.
Suddenly she knew what she needed to do. Without another moment of hesitation, she slid out of bed, changed into her normal clothes, and left her room to seek out Tidus.
* * *
To be continued.
* * *
Translations
Fimlusa pylg – Welcome back