Notes: Ok. With addition of one word at beginning, dialogue between Kinoc and Auron is verbatim from FFX US release.
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Braska's Journey
Bevelle – Chapter Five - Farewells
Yuna adored Jecht.
From the moment the blitzer entered Braska's home, the girl attached herself to him. Both Braska and the man from Zanarkand were a bit surprised by her behavior. Jecht, who was a show off, but uneasy around kids, didn't know why the girl seemed so smitten. It made him uncomfortable. It made him think about his son.
The priest noticed that something was wrong. He tried to get Yuna away from the man to no avail. Jecht forced laughter and tried to be kind, but it was clear to Braska that it was an act and he didn't understand why the blitzer kept doing it - it only egged her on. Yuna giggled and hugged the man from Zanarkand, rubbing her face on his; exclaiming, "You have fur! It tickles!"
"I am so sorry, Jecht." Braska said after the girl had gone to bed the first night. She had pouted and cried and the Summoner had been forced to be stern with her. "I do not know what has gotten into Yuna. She never behaves that way! Normally, she is a very polite and well mannered child – almost strangely so." The priest seemed almost mortified.
Jecht had waived it off with his usual bravado. "Ah. Don't worry about it, Braska. Kids are kids. Who knows what the hell they think in their little heads. I sure don't…" A frown had flitted over the blitzer features as he thought of little Tidus and his mother. He banished it with a leer and a chuckle. "Besides, I do that kind of thing to women…"
Braska was perplexed. "Jecht, I do not mean to pry. Of course, you may tell me to mind my own business, but – do you have…family in Zanarkand?"
The shadow washed again over the blitzer's face. His answer was a bit rough and abrupt. "Yeah."
**Oh. I see. He misses them and it hurts.**
A look of compassion graced Braska's face. He crossed the room to the low couch were the man from Zanarkand was sitting. It would be Jecht's bed for the next three nights until their departure. "I did not know, Jecht." The Summoner put a hand on the blitzer's shoulder and he winced.
He waived it off gruffly. "How could ya?"
"Perhaps…" Braska moved to sit next to Jecht, his hands clasped tightly before him. His voice was earnest and empathetic. "It might help if you talked about them? I have so many questions about your home. So little is known about Zanarkand." The Summoner bowed his head. "Would you tell me about it? About them?"
Jecht had been silent for long moments. Braska was sure he was holding back tears. Then, the man from Zanarkand did a quick intake of breath and pasted a sly grin on his face. "Sure. Why not? Fire away."
They had stayed up all night talking. Braska was so intrigued by the man. He reminded him of Auron. Two people, one for the public and one for private, trapped in the same body – warring with emotions and pretending they didn't have them. The Summoner knew what motivated his young Guardian's taciturn exterior and tight reign on his feelings – his duty.
**What makes Jecht this way, I wonder?**
The world that Jecht described was amazing and almost unbelievable - a city that never slept, and bridges of light and water that arced across the skies. People living in boats! On the water! No Sin! No Summoners! Glittering lights that lit up the skies like the sun itself. It was incredible.
He spoke of his son, Tidus – a little boy of Yuna's age who wanted desperately to please his father and clung to the mother. Then, Jecht spoke of his wife briefly. The compassionate loving woman he described reminded Braska oddly of his own dead love. The Summoner said as much, and Jecht began to ask questions of his own. Before the two knew it, it was dawn.
Then it was off to Auron's home. By the time he left the blitzer in the warrior's care, he was certain that the man from Zanarkand trusted him; that they had somehow forged a bond in the night. Braska practically glowed with happiness. Quirky though Jecht was, the Summoner was completely charmed by him.
**How strange. The Prayer Child said the Fayth had sent a man to help me. They also sent me a friend.**
Now, a short day later, it was almost time to go. Braska had picked at his food, barely able to eat as he watched his daughter smile and be so animated. She was the picture of her mother – so beautiful and charming. He had left her with Jecht for a while and taken a walk with Karen to give her last minute reminders. The Summoner knew they weren't necessary. Yuna's nurse was a capable and responsible woman who took exemplary care of his child. He was salving his own conscience, and Karen was kind enough to allow it with patience and dignity. They discussed, for a final time, the arrangements he had made with the healer and apothecary for Yuna's education. He inquired, again, about the schedule Karen would keep with Shana for the girl's religious instruction. When he mentioned, for the fourth time, where he had placed the chest with the money, spheres, and spell books; Karen had stopped him. "Lord Braska, are you sure you want to leave?"
"Karen, of course I do not want to leave her! I love her." Tears shimmered in Braska's eyes but they did not fall. His voice was filled with resolve. "But it is that love that drives me to this. I have to stop that beast."
The two went back, and the Summoner rescued Jecht from his daughter. She was braiding his hair and the poor blitzer was suffering through her attentions good-naturedly. Though Braska knew his daughter brought difficult feelings to the fore where the blitzer was concerned, it impressed him how kind and careful the huge strapping man was with the girl.
Braska took over Karen's duties for the rest of the evening. He got in the bath with Yuna and splashed about with her, making a mess of the floor as they both laughed. He toweled her off; dressing her in her little nightgown. Then, he combed her hair lovingly as she chattered.
Finally, it was time for the girl to sleep. She asked him to tell her favorite story – the tale of Yunalesca and Zeon – and it wrenched at him. He said he would, and then he began.
"Yuna, darling." Braska stroked his daughter's hair. "Do you remember how we talked and I said that I would go on a trip?"
The little head bobbed up and down.
"…I said that I might be gone for a long time, but that it was very important, and that I would have friends with me to take care of me…"
The dual colored eyes shone in the pale light cast by a small lamp by the bed. "Yes, father. You said you would be a great Summoner like Yunalesca. That you would visit the other temples to get the Aeons."
Braska smiled. "That is right. Well, I was waiting to leave on the trip until I knew you were ready." The Summoner tried hard to keep his voice from quavering. He knew that Yuna was a strong spirit and that, as long as he did not show his grief, she would accept what he said. "You are casting spells now, and I know you will take good care of Karen. I have spoken to some people, and they will help you learn more about the magic while I am away."
"Like Jecht?" the small girl questioned. "Will he be here to help me?"
"No. Jecht is here to help me. He will go with me on my trip to keep me safe." Braska then ventured something that might not fully register with the girl until later. Leaning close to Yuna, he pitched his voice low, as though telling her a special secret. "You see, Jecht is from Zanarkand! He is here to show me the way. With him at my side, I cannot help but gain all the Aeons and vanquish Sin. No?" He smiled and rubbed his nose against hers.
"Really!? He is from Zanarkand!" The small eyes were wide with delight.
"Yes. Really!" Braska thought the pain in his chest might kill him. He couldn't stand it. Reaching out, he pulled his daughter close in a tight embrace. Blue green eyes squeezed shut against the tears that threatened. He could not let Yuna see him cry. "I will miss you very much, but I know you are strong. Strong like your mother was." He clasped a hand to the back of Yuna's head, feeling her soft hair. "And I know that you will make me very proud by working hard and being a good girl. Wont you?"
The little head nodded vigorously against Braska's shoulder. "Yes, father. I will."
"Good." The Summoner took a deep breath to steel himself and drew away from the small fragile body. "Now, where is your book?" The smile on his face was forced. "I will read you the story until you fall asleep."
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The evening meal in Auron's home held an undertone of sorrow. He had already packed his things for the Pilgrimage and his travel bag, weapons, boots, and robe were waiting by the door. He had stopped at the kura to have his tokkuri filled and to bring home a cask of sake for the meal. It would not do to have such an important occasion pass without offering up toasts for health, good journey, and to the spirits of those in the Farplane who watched over them all.
Emerline and Shana had made all of his favorite dishes. They served him formally, insisting on it when Auron tried to stop them. He finally allowed it. The warrior understood. It was a way to tell him that they loved him.
After the meal, Emerline cleared the table and left Auron alone with the old housekeeper. She could hear them talking as she washed the dishes.
"Are you sure you have everything you need, Auron? There is nothing you have forgotten?"
"No, Shana," came Auron's response. "I am sure."
There was a pause before the old woman's voice said, "Well, what time will you leave in the morning? I'm sure you'll want a good breakfast and I can pack something for you to share with the others at the mid-day meal…"
That was when Emerline almost dropped the plate in her hands.
"No, that will not be necessary. I will leave tonight."
The gasp that came out of Em's mouth was a mirror of the sound that floated from the common room. "Tonight! When?!"
"Soon. In a few minutes." The warrior's voice barely reached to the young woman in the kitchen. "I have many people to say goodbye to at the temple, and Braska wishes to leave before dawn."
"But…you should rest!" came the protest. Shana's voice had risen in pitch. It was almost desperate.
"I will stay with Wellak at the temple tonight. I am sorry, Shana." Auron's voice began to break. "I simply cannot face you both."
Emerline leaned against the sink as silent tears fell from her eyes. Her dreams were over. In a few moments, Auron would walk out of the door. The love of her life would leave her behind and she might never see him again.
She felt, more than heard, as the warrior came into the kitchen. He stood behind her and brushed his hands up her arms. "Em. There are things I have to talk to you about before I leave. Will you come with me to the dojo?"
The sandy-haired woman sniffled and nodded weakly. She turned in Auron's grasp and tried to smile. "Of course. Whatever you wish."
The warrior took hold of her hand and led her out through the gardens and into the dojo. He pushed open the screen and stepped into the weapons area. Emerline had managed to master herself, and her curiosity had begun to get the better of her. Auron walked to the middle of the room and began to pull up sections of the floor, revealing rows of locked chests.
"Em, some of these only contain keepsakes. Clothing, scrolls, letters, spheres, and other things that have held meaning to me over the years. One holds only items that belonged to Youke – things that neither Shana nor I had the heart to discard…" He moved to a chest on the far left; taking a key from the pocket of his gray travel pants. Unlocking the clasp, he flipped the lid open. It was filled with gil.
"The others are like this. Grandfather's skill and renown as a weapons maker brought him quite a lot of money. Youke and I…well…neither of us ever spent much and we added our pay from the temple to the chests." Auron closed the lid of the chest and locked it. Replacing the floor panels, he turned to Emerline and extended his hand with the key. "I have written a Will. It has been filed with Simin at the Hall of Records and a copy is in my desk. My home, and everything in it, now belongs to you."
The woman gasped. "Auron! I can't!"
The warrior drew himself up sternly. "You must. I have no family, Emerline. I am the last of my line. Shana must be cared for until her death, and I would not have this home to go a stranger." The russet eyes bore into the young woman. "Please, do this for me."
Trembling, Emerline reached out and took the key. She stared at it in her hand. "Auron, you will come back. I know you will." She looked up at the warrior and said firmly, "I will do this, but only on the condition that you will take this key back from me when you come home."
Auron took a deep breath and closed the small distance between he and the diminutive blond. Swallowing hard, he took her chin in his hand and gazed into her green eyes. His deep baritone voice was almost a whisper. "Em. I am sorry I could not be what you wanted. I wish I could have loved you that way. Please, find someone who will love you in return the way you deserve." Then, he leaned down and brushed his lips to Emerline's.
Auron had never, in all the years she had known him, kissed her on anything but her hair or cheek. She had dreamed of a moment like this, and it might be the only chance she would ever have. The young woman flung her arms around the warrior's neck and pressed herself to him tightly. She clung to him in desperation as she returned his tentative and chaste kiss with adore. She poured all the love she felt for him into that moment as tears streamed down her face. When it ended, they stood, looking at each other.
"Go, Auron." Emerline whispered harshly as she looked at the floor. "Go now. I don't want the last memory you have of me to be that of a woman crumpled on the floor…"
The warrior stood there, torn. The look of pain and confusion on his face was indescribable. Finally, his jaw clenched and he stiffened. "Goodbye, Emerline," he said. Then he swept past her quickly and left.
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Farewells with Wellak were not difficult. The old Master at Arms made it easy on the warrior. Taking control of the situation, he talked of tactics and strategy. Wellak also had a few items set aside for Auron. He had culled a few rare potions and a particularly nice set of bracers from the armory.
"I'm sure someone might call it stealing, but I am the Master of Arms. I can do what I like with my armor," Wellak growled. "It's the least Inek owes you for the hell he put you through."
Wellak had seen a lot of action in his day, and had traveled all the way to Besaid before his commission at the temple. He tried to impart what information he could to the young man as they sipped some tea. Handing over old maps to Auron, he pointed out where he had marked the locations of travel stops and shelters. "I am sure many of these are out of date, but it is better to have them than not. The Mushroom Rock Road, as you well know, is not an easy path."
Then, the old man pushed Auron off to bed, and insisted on taking the settee in the common room. The warrior tried to protest and got a gruff response. "Are you talking back to me, boy?" Auron simply shook his head, said, "No, Sensei," and marched off to the bedroom.
It seemed to Auron that he'd only just shut his eyes when Wellak shook him by the shoulder. "Time to get up. I'll cook you something while you get cleaned and dressed."
After a shower, the warrior ate his meal mechanically. Wellak checked over the armor and made sure the warrior had forgotten nothing. Then, a strange look passed over the old man's features. "Auron," he said. "Kinoc will be conducting inspection now. In about twenty minutes, he should reach the outside of the antechamber to the Trials. I got you up early enough. You have time. Go see him before you leave."
Auron sighed and put out a hand to his mentor. "Sensei…Wellak…Thank you for everything."
The two clasped hands and the old Master at Arms smiled broadly. "Just do me proud. Take care of Lord Braska. He's a good man."
Wellak dropped Auron's hand abruptly and opened the door. "Better get going, boy. You'll miss Kinoc."
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Auron was leaning, a foot propped on the wall, outside the entrance to the antechamber when the Second of Bevelle rounded the corner. Kinoc's face registered no surprise at seeing the warrior there, though his body betrayed him. He stiffened a bit.
"Auron."
The two looked at each other, standing a few feet apart in the breezeway. Finally, the warrior spoke. "Thanks for everything, Kinoc."
The sandy-haired man's face was obscured partially by his helmet and the newly grown beard. He dismissed the comment by ignoring it. "I know I don't need to tell you this," Kinoc said earnestly, "but guard Lord Braska well."
The warrior tried not to let his disappointment show. When he had visited Emerline, Kinoc had rebuffed Auron's efforts to discuss the state of their friendship. Their childhood was gone, and seemingly so was their bond. Auron nodded his head in response to the directive. He made a last ditch attempt to break the ice between them. He brought up what Tacat had told him in the shop. "And you'll be busy too. I heard they made you second-in-command."
A flash of something passed across Kinoc's eyes. His lips quivered a bit before he responded. "You know that promotion was meant for you." The monk's voice was suddenly filled with regret. "You were always the better one, even until the end…"
Kinoc sighed and his shoulders slumped forward. Auron wasn't sure what to do. The warrior couldn't tell if it was in resignation or defeat. He wondered, for a brief moment, if the sandy-haired man might cry. Then, Kinoc seemed to master himself and stood up tall in his uniform.
Suddenly, Auron didn't want things to end like this. It all seemed so...final. He grinned a bit and said, "You make it sound as if I was going off to die or something." The warrior forced a light tone and gestured a bit. "I will see you again."
The two locked eyes, more passing between them than could ever be said. "Yes," Kinoc replied. He didn't really believe it.
A silence ensued. Neither one wanted to say goodbye, though they knew it had to be done. Auron took the lead. "Well then…"
Kinoc was reluctant. "Going already?"
The warrior grunted with a nod. He just couldn't trust his voice anymore.
//Braska and Jecht will be waiting.//
Tilting his head to the side a bit, the Second of Bevelle ventured a final request. "You will tell me about Zanarkand when you return, won't you?"
Auron started to chuckle. A smile spread across his face. He knew how much Kinoc longed to be Guardian, and what it took for him to ask. The ice had broken at last. This was his boyhood friend whom he loved like a brother. He nodded an affirmative, like a promise, and then he said, "Farewell."
Kinoc watched as Auron turned and strode away – his figure disappearing into the shadows of the temple corridors. He closed his eyes, thinking back on the day they had met as young boys. All the hours of sparing, the meals they had shared, and the closeness of youth rushed to the fore. He could hear his father's voice, yet again, telling his mother what a special person Auron was and what a leader he would be. The memory still stung, but not like it had for so many years. Now, he nodded his head at the retreating figure in agreement. He knew his father was right and had come to accept it in a strange way.
Then, Kinoc did something Auron would have growled about had he known. Smiling to himself, he reached a hand out and tapped off a recording sphere hidden on a post.
++Well, my friend! I know you hate to be recorded, but I have proof now. A promise is a promise. You are stuck. If you return from Zanarkand, you'll tell me all…++
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