Disclaimer: I don't own final fantasy, Squaresoft does and they occasionally let me have my wicked way with Auron! ; )
Disarmed by your charm at night I felt it again,
Addicted and consumed by loves sweet pain…
Ash – Walking Barefoot
I swear to Yevon, this, this Jecht will drive me mad.
Auron stared out from below his knitted brows, watching as his wife of mere hours fussed around the stranger. Jecht seemed to enjoy the attention lavished upon him by the beautiful young woman and Auron's scowl grew darker as he contemplated this.
Don't get used to it, charlatan.
Lesca ruffled his hair playfully as she walked past, silently asking him to smile at their guest. He grunted and crossed him arms, Smile at the drunkard who is to be my comrade. Interesting concept, my love.
"So, uh, Auron? Braska here says you were a warrior monk, what happened there?" Jecht turned to Auron with genuine interest.
"I, I refused the hand of the daughter of the Maester." He was slightly taken aback by the mans forward manner.
Jecht leaned forward conspiratorially, gesturing to Lesca who was busy trying to settle Yuna for bed. "Because you met her? Can't say I blame ya kid, I mean; look at her! If I was ten years younger…"
The older man laughed as he saw the anger flare in the youths eyes once more.
"Take it easy! I'm not going after her, I got a wife and a kid of my own."
Braska saw the man in a new light, "Really? What age is your child?"
"He's about the same age as little Yuna, he's seven. Name's Tidus. He's gonna be a star blitz player one day, just like his old man. If he ever stops being such a damn cry baby."
Braska laughed heartily, "Well, that is something we can all be accused of at some point or another. Will your wife not be worried by your disappearance?"
Jecht grinned, "She's a tough old bird, she'll be fine until I get back, it's the boy I'm worried about. Where's your wife, Braska?"
Braska hesitated, a look of sadness crossing his features and Jecht instantly regretted his question. He was relieved when Lesca rejoined the conversation.
"My mom's been dead for five years now, killed by Sin. The reason for the pilgrimage is to rid Spira of the sorrow that Sin leaves in its wake."
She smiled brightly, placing a cup in front of each man, "Coffee?"
They all nodded, stunned at her resilience before Jecht began the verbal exchange again, albeit tentatively.
"Please, Lesca. So, what does a summoner do Braska?"
Braska smiled at the mans attempts to understand this alien culture. "As a summoner, I must pray at the remaining temples in Besaid, Kilika, Djose, and Macalania in order to join with the Fayth and receive the power of the aeons."
"What's a Fayth? Come to think of it, what's an aeon?"
"A Fayth is the spirit of a man, woman or child encased in stone. By praying to the Fayth, the spirit will decide whether you are worthy to wield their great power. If you are, the spirit joins with you to become one and an aeon is born. An aeon is a powerful being a summoner can call on in battle for aid."
Jecht nodded sagely, "Right, right. So why do you need to get these aeons, why do you need to fight?"
Braska sighed, "It is unfortunate, but there are beings that wander this land called fiends. These fiends are the souls of the departed who are not at rest. They are jealous of the living and pray on them, wanting those still alive to join them as they prowl."
Jecht interrupted impatiently, "How do they become fiends?"
"Once the body dies, the soul must be released. Only a summoner can do this, by sending the soul of the deceased to the Farplane. If the soul is not sent, the restless spirit become a fiend."
"Right. So, why do you need these aeons then?"
Braska grinned at the incessant, child like questioning. "In order to obtain the final aeon in Zanarkand and defeat Sin, a summoner must prove themselves worthy by obtaining every other aeon. The final aeon will end the suffering of Spira."
Jecht sat back in his chair, his appetite for knowledge sated somewhat. "Got it, so our ultimate goal will lead me home. Suits me. We leave tomorrow?"
Braska nodded and Jecht nudged Auron, "Better go spend some time with the wife Auron, I gotta feeling this'll be no short trip."
Auron looked at him with disgust before storming out.
Jecht chuckled. "Does Lesca know what she's got herself into?"
Braska smiled at this enigma, the man from Zanarkand, "She knows. I think…she enjoys the spoils from the challenge."
~*~*~
Lesca jumped as her door was flung open, an angry Auron striding in purposefully. She frowned, knowing to let him air his grievances before venturing speech.
"That Jecht, Lesca, I swear to Yevon…he is the most rude, arrogant, obnoxious boor I have ever had the misfortune to meet!"
She began to knead his shoulders, "Maybe so, but he's a good man at heart, he means no harm. Try and see past that gruff exterior, if not for your sake then for mine. Yevon knows what you must come across like! He will be a good friend to you Auron, I guarantee it."
He sighed, turning to face her. "For you, anything."
She lay on her bed, patting the space adjacent to her. The ceiling of the room was made of glass, allowing the stars to shine overhead brightly. Auron pointed out various formations.
"Look, the star of Tehran. And there, the cross of O'Holland."
Lesca grinned, resting her head on his chest while she entwined a lock of his hair around her finger. She looked up into her lover's eyes, feeling as though she was drowning in their depths.
"Auron, did you know your name is Al Bhed in origin?"
He raised an eyebrow, "I did not…tell me more?"
"Well, the first part, "Aur" comes from the symbol "Or" in our language. "Or" would translate as…light as in enlightenment, through knowledge, guidance, and wisdom. It can also mean the spiritual light; a light consisting of two equal and separate lights; the life giving and the death dealing. Just meaningless symbols and folklore to most, but I think it's fitting.
You are fated to guide through your Guardianship, impart your knowledge and wisdom to Jecht. You gave me back my life and you deal death to those who wish to harm those dear to you. You are Auron, my Auron and I love you." She lifted his palm to her lips and kissed it softly.
"You are amazing, do you know that?" He stated huskily.
"I do…but show me how amazing I am." Her full lips curled into a half smile.
He growled, nuzzling the nape of her neck as she tugged lightly upon his hair, sending shivers down his spine. Lesca tugged at his coat, mischief glinting in her eyes as she stared at him hungrily. He tossed the garment aside, positioning himself on top of her as she ran long fingers sensuously up and down his spine.
"You are sure you are alright? After last night…you do not need more time to recover?" His voice was soft, concerned but desire could not mask itself in the gravelled tones.
She kissed away the worry, "I'm fine! Jeez, I've suffered worse hurt than that in my life. What kind of a wife do you take me for, one who would deny her husband their wedding night before he left in the morning?"
He grinned, "Well, if you are sure…"
She claimed his lips fervidly, exploring him with zeal. He groaned as her leg brushed his own with the lightest of touches, his kiss becoming more demanding. A hand made its way up Lesca's thigh, uncertainly to begin with but with each passing inch its confidence grew. She murmured her approval as the palm neared its destination, her back arching slightly as she awaited its arrival.
A throaty laugh disturbed the lovers, Auron watched in wide-eyed horror as Jecht entered the room, clapping.
"You know, I usually have to pay to see that kind of a show!"
Lesca's face burned violently, "Are you looking for something, Jecht?"
Auron scowled at the older man as he continued to grin inanely.
"Uh, no. Well, yeah…where's the bathroom? Braska said it was around here somewhere."
"Across the hall. Good night Jecht." She practically pushed the man from the room before bolting the door behind her.
She grinned, walking toward Auron slowly, "So…where were we?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Yuna, it's time."
The little girl yawned; rubbing her eyes sleepily as Lesca pushed the hair back from the child's face with a sad smile.
"Time for what Lescy?" She asked groggily.
"Daddy's leaving on his pilgrimage today. You have the day off school, hurry up and get ready so you can spend some time with him, ok?"
The girl moved listlessly to the bathroom to get washed while Lesca tidied the room, wiping a stray tear from her red rimmed eyes.
All I can do is weep, it's pathetic. Be strong, Lesca, come on! For Yuna's sake…
She forced a sunny smile onto her lips, looking in disbelief at her reflection in the mirror.
This unhappy woman…this isn't me. A smile can't mask the sorrow in your eyes.
"Lescy? How do I look?"
The happy façade was quickly replaced, "You look lovely. Come on, go see Dad."
The little girl tilted her head, "Why're your eyes red?"
"It's…hayfever, makes your eyes water. Come on!" She hurried the child into the kitchen where the three men discussed the route ahead.
Braska scooped his youngest daughter into his arms, inhaling the scent of her deeply.
"Yuna, be good for Lesca ok?"
The girl squirmed and he put her down, laughing softly as she shook her head stubbornly.
"No Daddy. Why d'you have to go? Let someone else's daddy go instead, I need you!" The tiny face crumpled and Braska's heart began the familiar aching.
"You want someone else's little girl to go through this? Yuna, you are strong, you can live through this whereas others could not. Do not cry for me, my darling. What I do, I do for you and all of Spira. You will be safe now, I promise. I'll be watching over you from the Farplane."
Yuna held her head up high to prevent the threatening tears from spilling. Jecht chuckled her under the chin, grinning.
"He'll be back soon, don't worry! I'll make sure he's ok for you. Look at you, not one tear. My kid would've been sobbing by now!"
Lesca watched the scene from the doorway, a rogue tear leaving its tell tale streak on her fair skin. He doesn't know. He really isn't of this world. How wrong you are Jecht…
"Yuna, go see if you can run any errands for Fertia's mother, she's not feeling too great."
She meant to sound composed, in control. Instead, she spoke in a strangled whisper. Yuna nodded eagerly before bouncing out of the room happily, such was the resilience of a child.
Jecht embraced Lesca warmly; "It'll all be ok. They'll both come back fine, or I'm not the greatest Blitz player that's ever lived!"
He ruffled her hair fondly before making his excuses and stepping outside. Braska looked at her blood shot eyes and felt his own begin to water. He covered the length of the room quickly, grasping his daughter to his heart as he wept.
"Lesca, I…"
She shook her head, smiling in spite of the tears. "Don't dad. Please? I love you. Be well, may Yevon watch over you and bless the pilgrimage of Lord Braska and his Guardians."
He bowed in return, "I love you too. Watch over Yuna for me…"
"You know you don't need to ask. Goodbye Lord Braska."
"Farewell, my daughter."
Braska exited the residence he had called home for many years, imprinting the image in his mind. Memories of their first days there flooded his mind, a heavily pregnant Bria as she winked at him from the doorway, a tiny Lesca toddling toward him with her arms held out. An ecstatic family as they learned of an impending sibling for Lesca. A house of mourning as they lost part of their light. I'll be with you soon, my love. I promise.
"Auron, I'll miss you." Her voice was barely audible as she hung her head, cursing herself for this feminine weakness.
"I will count the days until I can return to you. Lesca, I will endeavour to find a way to save your father. I love you."
She walked out of the room, leaving him bathed in confusion. What have I done?
She returned a moment later, hands behind her back.
"Close your eyes." He did so in surprise, the command seeming foreign from her lips. He felt his right arm dip a little from a foreign weight being attached. Before he could analyse the feeling, she plunged his fingers into a cool material while simultaneously fixing something to his coat. He heard the click of her heel as she stepped backward to admire her handiwork. Seemingly satisfied, she kissed his cheek, cradling his face in her hands.
"Ok, open them."
Auron examined the arm that had the strange pressure on it, finding a bracer attached to the sleeve of his coat. Lesca ran her fingers up the cool steel.
"It'll help balance you when you're swinging the sword, see? It's got a built in antidote too, so you won't get ill…" She moved on, kissing the tips of his fingers, which were now encased in leather.
"So you don't lose your grip, leather grips steel better than skin."
The final appendage she had attached to his person was a pair of oval, silver rimmed sunglasses. She put them on her head and struck a pose while he laughed at her antics.
"Just so I always know these eyes are alright…"
She placed the glasses in his pocket gently before looking up into the russet gaze for what seemed like an eternity. He burned her face into his consciousness, determined that he would never forget what he was fighting for. He kissed her tenderly, disturbed by her damp cheeks.
"Lesca, are you…"
"I'm fine. Go, the sooner you leave, the sooner you return, right?"
"Correct."
"Come back to me Auron, promise me. I love you…" Her voice cracked as she tried desperately to check her emotions.
"I promise. I…must go now. I love you Lesca." He turned and strode out the door, fighting the urge to turn back to her, for he knew that if he did he wouldn't leave.
She collapsed on the floor, dazed. She understood the reason for his sudden departure better than he and yet…
Why? Why take my father and my husband both? Fate is cruel; it laughs at my misfortune.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who's reading and special big thanks to The Angel of the Lion for reviewing, at least someone likes it! : ) The whole Auron name thing is true and actually comes from Hebrew, not Al Bhed in case you're wondering! ; )
