When I Met You…
Chappu—
I first saw you in my dreams when I was a boy. You were so beautiful… I thought you were an angel with the way you seemed to glow with heavenly light while calling out to me, pleading with me to find you and help you; rescue you.
I told these dreams to my mom but she didn't understand. I told my father; he laughed and ruffled my hair, telling me I had a very active imagination. My own best friend Zeoron didn't believe and here she was yearning to be a Black Mage!
From then on I kept the dreams to myself, never spilling a word to anyone about them no matter how many times I had them. They had started when I was nine, about the time Small Lady Tida had vanished sometime in the night a few weeks after her widely-celebrated seventh birthday. Those entreating dreams plagued my sleep for the next nine years.
About the time I turned fifteen, the dreams were coming twice a month when normally they were maybe one or twice a year. I took it as a sign that the time to find you was really drawing near and so I left Luca, taking with me a single blade and a few personal possessions. Zeoron was sad to see me go, I know, but I had to. I had to go and locate you.
So I journeyed around Spira, taking in the sights and honing my blade skills on attacking fiends. I earned money doing odd jobs around temples and shops. The Al Bhed were especially friendly in letting me help to train some chocobos for them. Not to sound conceited or anything, but I'm an incredible choco rider.
For nearly three years I traveled Spira, searching but never finding. My eighteenth birthday was quickly approaching and the dreams were becoming more and more frequent—two to three times a week! Destiny was fast impending and I didn't think I would find you.
But I did. It was a week or so after they had distinguished what would have been Lady Tida's sixteenth birthday. I was eighteen by then and was currently in Besaid. My first night in Besaid was filled with the dream and the next and the next and the next!
It had to be a sign. The time was nigh and I would soon find this girl.
I'd heard about the explosion of sorts in the Besaid Temple and had investigated the best I could but the Crusaders were kind of… strict about those who got too close to the site.
Regardless, I pressed and found Nirvana, sacred Nirvana, had been taken. Instantly, I left Besaid on the next ship, the S.S. Liki, bound for Kilika. For some strange reason, I could sense Nirvana's presence and it was on its way to Kilika. I could also feel its aura floating around someone on the ship.
I remember a girl leaning on the railing, gazing out over the deep blue sea, her short blond hair whipping lazily in the wind, her strangely colored eyes dark with seriousness. She was dressed like a Blitzer. I had to know.
So I asked. Talk about a cold shoulder. She brushed me off as if I were some perverted old man asking to see her strut her stuff on the deck. Please—I may be a boy, but I'm not quite that low. At least, I don't think I am.
But something was different about her, and I was determined to find out what.
So I followed her. It was pretty easy as she wasn't exactly careful about concealing where she wanted to go—she'd asked where Kilika Temple was as soon as her feet hit the dock.
I kept her safe until she reached the temple, though she was unaware of my company. She was too intent on getting there to notice.
I waited outside while she went inside, her eyes alight with awe. Kilika Temple is pretty amazing. The never-ending flame dome is its best feature by a long shot. I followed her inside.
I tried to talk to her once more but once again she shoved me off. I sighed and moved away to the side, out of sight. I crouched, waiting.
As soon as I felt her coming out I moved out of my hiding place and down in front of the steps, looking up at her. She stopped, dead, her grin fading as she gazed down at me. I raised my eyebrows and began walking toward her.
"What were you doing in there?" I asked.
"Solving the Trials," she replied, shrugging. She started to push by me but I quickly blocked her path.
"You're lying. You went into the Chamber of the Fayth. I can read it in your eyes."
"What? Why would I go—"
And I knew. It hit me. I knew who she was.
"You went and prayed to the fayth. I know they're giving you power," I leaned closer, to her ear, "Lady Tida."
"How do you know who I am?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Outside. Come on."
I grabbed her arm and practically dragged out after me.
"Just who are you, anyway?" she demanded once we were outside, and out of earshot of everyone. She jerked her arm out of my grasp.
"I was only two years old when I saw Lady Yuna and Sir Tidus at Lake Macalania. It was plain to see they loved each other, but both weren't exactly sure how to make the move. I've always been able to see them so clearly in my mind. You . . . you look just like your father, but," I tilted her head up, "you have your mother's eyes."
She backed away. "Who are you?"
"People call me Dally, but my real name's Chappu. My dad knew some Blitzer guy by that name, and so that's what I was named," I said. I shrugged. "There, now you know who I am."
"I guess so. But why are you so interested in following me around?"
"Every summoner needs a guardian," I said, glancing over at her. She was standing there, hands on hips, eyes flickering with flames dancing in them. She jerked her head slightly to the side.
"So what?"
"I'd like to be your guardian. Do you accept?" I asked. She swung around, startled by my sudden request. She stared at me.
"You want to what?!"
"You refuse?"
"Well, no. You just caught me by surprise. I really wasn't expecting any of this to happen," She said, blinking. She sighed. "I'm sorry. I accept."
"Good. I promise to guard you with my life until things are set straight," I swore, bowing to her, and she cocked her head.
"I don't think I like this bowing thing," she said, shaking her head. I smiled.
"It was just out of courtesy, and to seal the deal," I replied.
"Yeah, okay."
"What did the fayth tell—or, what have the fayth told you so far?" I asked, settling myself down on the ground, and looking up at her.
She blew out a breath and plopped down across from me. "They told me only to call them if I really needed them. They said not to abuse my power, that this is a gift in return to my father," she told me, flopping backward onto the soft grass. "Whatever that means."
"It means that they're thanking your father through you," I said, shaking my head at her ignorance. She sighed again, putting her hands behind her head.
"This is way different from what I used to be. I used be a thief named Jai, and now I suddenly remember who I am, the daughter of High Summoner Lady Yuna and her ever-faithful guardian and lover, Sir Tidus. Big shocker." She smiled. "Not really a bad rep."
I chuckled. "I guess not."
I noticed her studying me—but trying to be discreet about it—and took my own time to study her. She was really beautiful, with that sun-bleached blond hair and those eyes, Prussian blue crystal and sea green fire. She was well-built, and toned just enough. I smiled secretly to myself.
Well, I am human, you know.
"So, tell me, Chappu, what made you come to Besaid, and then follow me all the way to Kilika on the S.S. Liki? Was I that suspicious?" she said at last.
I shook my head. "I don't really know. I saw you that night, when you had that dream. Something told me that was no ordinary dream. I wanted to go with you on your journey."
"Oh. I guess we should be calling it a pilgrimage from now on." She giggled. "How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
"For real? You sure sound a lot older," she commented.
" 'Wisdom beyond my years'," I said.
"I'm not even going to ask."
Oh, Tida, I miss you so much, my love. You're in my heart, always.
