(Well, I only own the old lady, I don't own anyone else, they belong to
good ol' Square Soft)
Chapter 2
Summoner
Three years later, Auron sat on the porch of the old house, he was fifteen now. Old lady Liani and the chocobo stood on the porch. "What are we waiting for?" Auron asked her.
"My granddaughter, she's supposed to be on her way here from Besaid," she said.
"Really?" Auron stood up and stretched vertically. "Besaid huh?" he said. He then sat back down and rested his head on his hands. "So, when's she suppose to get here?"
"Auron," sighed the old woman. "You can go with your friends instead of waiting with me."
Standing up, he said, "You mean it?"
"Yes, go on now."
Auron took off running towards the city. It was later that night when he returned, Liani and Kederas were still on the porch, waiting. "She isn't here yet?" he asked, strolling up to the house.
"No," said Liani. "And I'm beginning to worry." She rubbed her hands together, trying to keep them warm.
"Liani, go on inside, I'll wait for her," Auron said.
The old woman looked to Auron. "But, it's getting cold, what about you?"
Auron smiled. "I'm not old," he said.
The old woman patted him on the head and then she and the old chocobo walked inside, leaving Auron alone. He sat on the steps and rubbed his hands together. It was getting very cold. Liani brought out a blanket and set it over his shoulders. He thanked her and clutched it close as the woman went back inside.
The teen sat outside all night, awake, and waiting. It was early in the morning, around dawn, that a woman and a girl could be seen walking down the path. Auron stood up and walked up to the door. "Liani," he called. "they're here."
The old woman and the chocobo rushed out the door and to the two people. "Rina!" she said, hugging the woman, who hugged her back. When she released the woman, she looked to the girl. "Atali," she said, she then hugged the girl.
Auron clutched the blanket to him and sat down on the steps. He watched the girl, she seemed his age, and he thought she was very pretty.
Atali, the young girl, smiled, she then said. "Grandma! I did it! I've become a summoner!"
"Congratulations!" said the old woman. She then turned her head to Auron. She was about to call him over, but he was asleep with his head against the banister. She smiled and turned back to looked at her family. "That's Auron, I'll have him introduce himself when he wakes up."
Atali smiled. "You had him wait for us?" she asked.
"No," said Liani. "He was worried about me, and said he would await your arrival."
Auron awoke the next day; he had drained himself by staying up the previous night. He lay in his bed, all covered up. Sitting up in bed, he stretched and then pulled away the covers. He walked out of the room and into the kitchen, where he heard voices.
"Good afternoon Auron," said Liani. Auron nodded and looked around the table. Rina and Atali were sitting there as well.
A knock came at the front door. "I'll get it," Auron said casually. He turned around and walked to the door. He opened the door and a boy his age, with black hair and blue eyes stood there. "Yes?"
"Is Atali here?"
Auron sighed and walked back to the kitchen, all the while thinking to himself, "I feel like an errand boy." He walked into the kitchen. "Um, there's someone here for you," he said, not knowing what to call the girl.
She stood and left the room, going to the front door. Auron watched her. She talked briefly; they shared a hug and the guest left. Atali then walked back into the kitchen and sat back down.
"Auron," said Liani. "Sit down and eat with us."
The teen said nothing; he just turned around and walked out the front door, letting it slam shut behind him. Atali glanced to her grandmother. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No dear, he's been like this lately. Very irritable, he's never at home much anymore," Liani sighed. "I'm starting to worry about him."
Atali's mother smiled. "Maybe he could come with us on the rest of Atali's pilgrimage?"
"I'll have to ask him," said Liani.
That night, after Liani and her daughter Rina went to bed, the summoner was still awake downstairs. She sat by the fire, leaning on the old chocobo. As she turned the page, she heard the door open slowly, then close. Auron walked into the living room and froze. Atali didn't even look up at him, even though she knew he was there.
He stood still and watched her. Quietly, he sat down in a chair, still watching her. "Does she hate me or something?" he thought.
Quietly, she set the book down and got to her feet. "Good night Auron," she said with a smile, and then went upstairs to her mother's room. She crawled into the second bed and covered up, instantly falling asleep.
Downstairs, Auron looked to the chocobo, who slowly blinked back at him. "What? Is there something wrong?" The chocobo ruffled its feathers and went to sleep. "Stupid bird." Auron growled. The bird's eyes flew open and it looked to the boy.
In the morning, Atali was the first awake. She walked down stairs and into the living room only to see Auron and the chocobo asleep in awkward positions. Auron had the bird in a headlock and the chocobo had its claws directed at Auron's stomach. She smiled and walked over. "Kederas?" she whispered. The chocobo opened its eyes and moved quickly away from Auron. "Let's go." Atali and Kederas walked to the front door.
The two were about to leave when from behind them, standing in the hallway, Auron said, "And where are you going so early?"
Atali turned around. "Why do you want to know?"
Auron walked over to her. "If I'm the last one who saw you, I'm gonna get in trouble."
"Then lie, say you never saw me this morning," she said, then turned around and walked out the door. Auron followed Kederas. "Go back inside," she growled.
Auron ran up to her and grabbed her wrist. "I'm not getting in trouble because of your idiocy!" he shouted at her.
"Let go of me!" She pulled away but he kept a firm grip on her wrist. "You're hurting me!"
Auron quickly released her and stepped back. "I'm sorry," he said.
Rubbing her wrist, she looked at him and said, "Come with me." She climbed on the back of the chocobo. Auron sighed, seeing no way out of this, he nodded and walked up next to the bird. "You're walking? It's easier to run or fly on a chocobo."
Looking down, he said, "I've never ridden a chocobo before."
"Just get on. You'll be riding with me anyway."
Auron nodded and Atali scooted up. He jumped up and tried to pull himself up, but fell back off. He jumped up again; Atali grabbed the back of his pants and helped pull him up. Auron sat up right.
"Hold on tight," Atali said. "I'm not going to be responsible for you breaking your head open." Auron leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the summoner. Atali froze and blushed. "Ready," she said quickly.
"Yeah."
Atali tapped the chocobo in the side with her heels and Kederas took off running. It felt like forever to Auron but it was only thirty minutes until they stopped. Kederas dropped down and the two dismounted.
"Why didn't he do that when I was trying to get on?" Auron growled as he rubbed his butt.
"Because you didn't ask him." Atali walked to a ledge and sat down.
Auron walked over and looked around. "Whoa," he said. "I've been here for three years and I've never seen this."
Atali patted the ground next to her; Auron sat down where it was indicated. He was about to say something but Atali covered his mouth with her left hand and shook her head. He nodded and she set her hands at her sides. Auron blinked slowly and looked at the glorious scene displayed before his eyes. The water reflected the sun's rays as it slowly rose from the horizon. Atali sighed and looked solemnly at the water.
Hours later, Atali stood up and walked over to Kederas. "Go on Auron," she said. "Go back home."
Auron got to his feet. "What?"
"Go on, get on Kederas and go home!" she shouted at him.
Auron saw the seriousness in her eyes he nodded and walked over to the chocobo who stood up at his approach. "Kederas, please?" he said. The bird turned around and began walking. "Hey!" he shouted. The chocobo sped up and he ran after it.
Atali smiled at the leaving Auron. "This is going to be my last sunrise, isn't it?" she said aloud to herself. Then slowly, she started on the path back home.
When Auron arrived home, he was riding the chocobo. When he dismounted, he patted the bird and gave it a plant from his pocket. Liani, who was standing on the porch, said, "He's letting you ride him, Auron?"
"I had to bribe him," Auron laughed. He scratched Kederas on the top of the head as it ate the greens. "If I didn't do that, I would have had to run the whole way here."
Rina walked out onto the porch. "And Atali? Where is she?"
Auron looked down. "She didn't say, she just wanted me gone."
Atali's mother ran down to Auron's side and turned him to her. "Are you crazy?" she shouted then backhanded him across the face. "She's a little girl!"
Rubbing the side of his face, he responded, "No, she's not. she can defend herself."
Growling, Rina walked over to Kederas, she was going to find her daughter. Kederas, on the other hand, didn't want to go, he didn't like Rina. The chocobo sidestepped and ran behind Auron. "You stupid boy!" she yelled at Auron, and then she went back into the house.
Auron looked to Liani. "What did I do wrong?" he asked.
"She's just worried Auron, I'm sorry about that," Liani said.
"Should I leave?" he asked.
"Oh no Auron!" said the old woman. "You live here!" Auron nodded and scratched the back of the chocobo's neck. "I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?" Auron asked as he scratched the bird.
"Go with Atali on her pilgrimage," she said.
"Okay," he said.
"And protect her, make sure she meets her destination."
Auron sighed. "Alright." From that moment Auron waited outside until Atali got there, which was about midnight. He hadn't eaten, hadn't slept, and hadn't moved from where he had sat on the porch.
Silently, Atali walked up to Auron she sat at his right side and placed her head on his shoulder. Auron didn't want to talk; he could sense that she didn't want to talk either. Tears streaked her cheeks and made the boy's shoulder damp.
Auron turned his head and looked at her, she was completely silent. He put his arms around her and held her.
The next day, after everyone ate in the morning, Atali and her mother packed up their belongings and went outside. Liani walked down to her daughter and granddaughter. "I love you two!" she said, they all hugged. None of the three could keep from crying. Liani wiped her tears and turned around. "Auron! Come on or you'll be left behind!" she said loudly.
"That boy is coming?" Rina growled.
"On my behalf," the old woman said.
Atali smiled, she was happy that Auron was coming; she liked him because he was nice to her. Auron ran down the steps. He hugged the old woman. "Thank you, for everything Liani," he said.
"It's no problem, as long as you do as I asked," she responded.
"I promise," Auron said.
"Let's go then!" said Rina, and began walking. Atali hugged her grandmother and then followed her mother.
Auron nodded to his caretaker and ran after Atali. He didn't know what was going to happen on this journey, he knew nothing of the summoners, but he was going to keep his promise. no matter what.
Chapter 2
Summoner
Three years later, Auron sat on the porch of the old house, he was fifteen now. Old lady Liani and the chocobo stood on the porch. "What are we waiting for?" Auron asked her.
"My granddaughter, she's supposed to be on her way here from Besaid," she said.
"Really?" Auron stood up and stretched vertically. "Besaid huh?" he said. He then sat back down and rested his head on his hands. "So, when's she suppose to get here?"
"Auron," sighed the old woman. "You can go with your friends instead of waiting with me."
Standing up, he said, "You mean it?"
"Yes, go on now."
Auron took off running towards the city. It was later that night when he returned, Liani and Kederas were still on the porch, waiting. "She isn't here yet?" he asked, strolling up to the house.
"No," said Liani. "And I'm beginning to worry." She rubbed her hands together, trying to keep them warm.
"Liani, go on inside, I'll wait for her," Auron said.
The old woman looked to Auron. "But, it's getting cold, what about you?"
Auron smiled. "I'm not old," he said.
The old woman patted him on the head and then she and the old chocobo walked inside, leaving Auron alone. He sat on the steps and rubbed his hands together. It was getting very cold. Liani brought out a blanket and set it over his shoulders. He thanked her and clutched it close as the woman went back inside.
The teen sat outside all night, awake, and waiting. It was early in the morning, around dawn, that a woman and a girl could be seen walking down the path. Auron stood up and walked up to the door. "Liani," he called. "they're here."
The old woman and the chocobo rushed out the door and to the two people. "Rina!" she said, hugging the woman, who hugged her back. When she released the woman, she looked to the girl. "Atali," she said, she then hugged the girl.
Auron clutched the blanket to him and sat down on the steps. He watched the girl, she seemed his age, and he thought she was very pretty.
Atali, the young girl, smiled, she then said. "Grandma! I did it! I've become a summoner!"
"Congratulations!" said the old woman. She then turned her head to Auron. She was about to call him over, but he was asleep with his head against the banister. She smiled and turned back to looked at her family. "That's Auron, I'll have him introduce himself when he wakes up."
Atali smiled. "You had him wait for us?" she asked.
"No," said Liani. "He was worried about me, and said he would await your arrival."
Auron awoke the next day; he had drained himself by staying up the previous night. He lay in his bed, all covered up. Sitting up in bed, he stretched and then pulled away the covers. He walked out of the room and into the kitchen, where he heard voices.
"Good afternoon Auron," said Liani. Auron nodded and looked around the table. Rina and Atali were sitting there as well.
A knock came at the front door. "I'll get it," Auron said casually. He turned around and walked to the door. He opened the door and a boy his age, with black hair and blue eyes stood there. "Yes?"
"Is Atali here?"
Auron sighed and walked back to the kitchen, all the while thinking to himself, "I feel like an errand boy." He walked into the kitchen. "Um, there's someone here for you," he said, not knowing what to call the girl.
She stood and left the room, going to the front door. Auron watched her. She talked briefly; they shared a hug and the guest left. Atali then walked back into the kitchen and sat back down.
"Auron," said Liani. "Sit down and eat with us."
The teen said nothing; he just turned around and walked out the front door, letting it slam shut behind him. Atali glanced to her grandmother. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No dear, he's been like this lately. Very irritable, he's never at home much anymore," Liani sighed. "I'm starting to worry about him."
Atali's mother smiled. "Maybe he could come with us on the rest of Atali's pilgrimage?"
"I'll have to ask him," said Liani.
That night, after Liani and her daughter Rina went to bed, the summoner was still awake downstairs. She sat by the fire, leaning on the old chocobo. As she turned the page, she heard the door open slowly, then close. Auron walked into the living room and froze. Atali didn't even look up at him, even though she knew he was there.
He stood still and watched her. Quietly, he sat down in a chair, still watching her. "Does she hate me or something?" he thought.
Quietly, she set the book down and got to her feet. "Good night Auron," she said with a smile, and then went upstairs to her mother's room. She crawled into the second bed and covered up, instantly falling asleep.
Downstairs, Auron looked to the chocobo, who slowly blinked back at him. "What? Is there something wrong?" The chocobo ruffled its feathers and went to sleep. "Stupid bird." Auron growled. The bird's eyes flew open and it looked to the boy.
In the morning, Atali was the first awake. She walked down stairs and into the living room only to see Auron and the chocobo asleep in awkward positions. Auron had the bird in a headlock and the chocobo had its claws directed at Auron's stomach. She smiled and walked over. "Kederas?" she whispered. The chocobo opened its eyes and moved quickly away from Auron. "Let's go." Atali and Kederas walked to the front door.
The two were about to leave when from behind them, standing in the hallway, Auron said, "And where are you going so early?"
Atali turned around. "Why do you want to know?"
Auron walked over to her. "If I'm the last one who saw you, I'm gonna get in trouble."
"Then lie, say you never saw me this morning," she said, then turned around and walked out the door. Auron followed Kederas. "Go back inside," she growled.
Auron ran up to her and grabbed her wrist. "I'm not getting in trouble because of your idiocy!" he shouted at her.
"Let go of me!" She pulled away but he kept a firm grip on her wrist. "You're hurting me!"
Auron quickly released her and stepped back. "I'm sorry," he said.
Rubbing her wrist, she looked at him and said, "Come with me." She climbed on the back of the chocobo. Auron sighed, seeing no way out of this, he nodded and walked up next to the bird. "You're walking? It's easier to run or fly on a chocobo."
Looking down, he said, "I've never ridden a chocobo before."
"Just get on. You'll be riding with me anyway."
Auron nodded and Atali scooted up. He jumped up and tried to pull himself up, but fell back off. He jumped up again; Atali grabbed the back of his pants and helped pull him up. Auron sat up right.
"Hold on tight," Atali said. "I'm not going to be responsible for you breaking your head open." Auron leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the summoner. Atali froze and blushed. "Ready," she said quickly.
"Yeah."
Atali tapped the chocobo in the side with her heels and Kederas took off running. It felt like forever to Auron but it was only thirty minutes until they stopped. Kederas dropped down and the two dismounted.
"Why didn't he do that when I was trying to get on?" Auron growled as he rubbed his butt.
"Because you didn't ask him." Atali walked to a ledge and sat down.
Auron walked over and looked around. "Whoa," he said. "I've been here for three years and I've never seen this."
Atali patted the ground next to her; Auron sat down where it was indicated. He was about to say something but Atali covered his mouth with her left hand and shook her head. He nodded and she set her hands at her sides. Auron blinked slowly and looked at the glorious scene displayed before his eyes. The water reflected the sun's rays as it slowly rose from the horizon. Atali sighed and looked solemnly at the water.
Hours later, Atali stood up and walked over to Kederas. "Go on Auron," she said. "Go back home."
Auron got to his feet. "What?"
"Go on, get on Kederas and go home!" she shouted at him.
Auron saw the seriousness in her eyes he nodded and walked over to the chocobo who stood up at his approach. "Kederas, please?" he said. The bird turned around and began walking. "Hey!" he shouted. The chocobo sped up and he ran after it.
Atali smiled at the leaving Auron. "This is going to be my last sunrise, isn't it?" she said aloud to herself. Then slowly, she started on the path back home.
When Auron arrived home, he was riding the chocobo. When he dismounted, he patted the bird and gave it a plant from his pocket. Liani, who was standing on the porch, said, "He's letting you ride him, Auron?"
"I had to bribe him," Auron laughed. He scratched Kederas on the top of the head as it ate the greens. "If I didn't do that, I would have had to run the whole way here."
Rina walked out onto the porch. "And Atali? Where is she?"
Auron looked down. "She didn't say, she just wanted me gone."
Atali's mother ran down to Auron's side and turned him to her. "Are you crazy?" she shouted then backhanded him across the face. "She's a little girl!"
Rubbing the side of his face, he responded, "No, she's not. she can defend herself."
Growling, Rina walked over to Kederas, she was going to find her daughter. Kederas, on the other hand, didn't want to go, he didn't like Rina. The chocobo sidestepped and ran behind Auron. "You stupid boy!" she yelled at Auron, and then she went back into the house.
Auron looked to Liani. "What did I do wrong?" he asked.
"She's just worried Auron, I'm sorry about that," Liani said.
"Should I leave?" he asked.
"Oh no Auron!" said the old woman. "You live here!" Auron nodded and scratched the back of the chocobo's neck. "I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?" Auron asked as he scratched the bird.
"Go with Atali on her pilgrimage," she said.
"Okay," he said.
"And protect her, make sure she meets her destination."
Auron sighed. "Alright." From that moment Auron waited outside until Atali got there, which was about midnight. He hadn't eaten, hadn't slept, and hadn't moved from where he had sat on the porch.
Silently, Atali walked up to Auron she sat at his right side and placed her head on his shoulder. Auron didn't want to talk; he could sense that she didn't want to talk either. Tears streaked her cheeks and made the boy's shoulder damp.
Auron turned his head and looked at her, she was completely silent. He put his arms around her and held her.
The next day, after everyone ate in the morning, Atali and her mother packed up their belongings and went outside. Liani walked down to her daughter and granddaughter. "I love you two!" she said, they all hugged. None of the three could keep from crying. Liani wiped her tears and turned around. "Auron! Come on or you'll be left behind!" she said loudly.
"That boy is coming?" Rina growled.
"On my behalf," the old woman said.
Atali smiled, she was happy that Auron was coming; she liked him because he was nice to her. Auron ran down the steps. He hugged the old woman. "Thank you, for everything Liani," he said.
"It's no problem, as long as you do as I asked," she responded.
"I promise," Auron said.
"Let's go then!" said Rina, and began walking. Atali hugged her grandmother and then followed her mother.
Auron nodded to his caretaker and ran after Atali. He didn't know what was going to happen on this journey, he knew nothing of the summoners, but he was going to keep his promise. no matter what.