The at Times Tumultuous and Arduous

Trials of Baralai and Seymel

Chapter One: The Talk

She sat on a bench, gently swinging her legs and brushing her long dark reddish-blonde hair behind her shoulders as she took in the view. It was a beautiful garden, even if she did resent Bevelle. They still don't support the Al Bhed and some still mutter obscenities, even in the new day and age free of Sin – she didn't always mind, though. It upset her, but the Yevonites had lived with it so long, old habits die hard and so forth.

The garden spread quite far, full of luscious plants, trees and other varieties of garden life collected from all corners of Spira.

A slight breeze made her give a shiver – she was only wearing her sea blue halter neck dress littered with spangled silver threaded moons and stars that fell to her knees. It was perfectly fine in sunny Kilika, but here at night it was a mistake that was going to freeze her to the bone.

Sometimes she wondered why in all the people she could of fell in love with, it had to be Baralai. Praetor Baralai, leader of all she hates and against all she stands for. Seymel Kayl didn't know why it happened, why fate had played such a cruel trick on the both of them. He was working late, again. She was part of the Youth League, and they never worked their members as hard as Baralai was pushed but, she reconsidered, he was the leader.

"Sey," a soft voice called from the gate. She turned and he walked over, his warm brown eyes fixed on her. She grew slightly embarrassed and let her hair drape across her face as he approached and sat beside her. She could feel the disgust she had for this city well up, the discomfort she felt, but it calmed slightly when he laid his beautifully tanned hands on her shoulders.

"Don't worry about me, you can say it," he whispered. She lowered her hair, then threw it up suddenly.

"Fine, Baralai, I respect your beliefs but...I hate this place," she flatly replied. She could feel the vigour that she usually held at Kilika, their second home, drain away into the stuffy formality that hung around Bevelle.

He sighed and let his hands slide down her arms.

"You can have your opinion," he replied. She could tell he wanted their opinions to work out, but Seymel knew it was never going to happen. The night air was cool, yet Seymel still was aware of the enclosed atmosphere. She loved Baralai deeply – nothing would change that, but their paths of life were so different she wondered how they managed to stay together at all.

The bustle of Bevelle could not be heard from these private grounds the leaders of New Yevon could relax. They were quiet. Seymel could see Baralai's eyes roam around the grounds. The full moon caught his prematurely white hair in its soft glow and she wanted to touch him, hold him – any kind of contact and melt away the split they had over New Yevon and the Youth League. Her legs still swung absentmindedly and she looked up to the stars, her mind drifting back to a question that haunted her in the night. It scared her sometimes.

"'Lai, do you ever think...do you ever think that we're not meant to be together?" she murmured, half wishing she never opened her mouth. It was going to come up eventually, but she didn't like it coming up here.

He looked sharply at her, making her quiver. She wasn't scared of him – she was scared she'd hurt him.

"No! Never. Just because we believe in different things doesn't mean our love is any different," he countered and swept a tendril of hair behind her shoulder so he could see her striking face. She was half Al Bhed from her father's side; she inherited the intense clear emerald Al Bhed eyes that made him sometimes think he could drift in those wide eyes forever. They settled on his.

"Yes...you can't say it isn't hard sometimes," she said forlornly. This place made her want to recoil into her mind and run around screaming insults at the same time – the feeling of being torn in two and suffocated by ritual didn't help her stay coherent around her lover.

"Of course it can be hard at times. Don't you think it's worthwhile though?" he asked and stroked her hair tenderly.

Seymel turned to him in shock, "You know I do! I-I just...hate this place!" the tension this place knotted within her was beginning to send her over the edge, make her agitated.

Baralai became wary and glanced over to the gate. He knew Bevelle wasn't tolerant of shouting in such a holy place – the fact it was anti-Bevelle certainly didn't help.

"Shh...You don't know who could be near. You'll get thrown out of Bevelle!" he whispered insistently, but her reckless side had taken over – she stood and whirled around to face his wide-eyed concerned face.

"Well, I don't care Baralai!" she said indignantly and ran to the centre of the garden. Baralai watched in awe of her defiance as she raised her arms, lifted her head and cried with all her might, "I HATE THIS PLACE AND I DON'T CARE IF YOU KNOW IT!"

Baralai sprang up and ran to her, taking her shoulders firmly.

"Seymel! You'll get thrown out!" he said worriedly, stealing another look at the gate. He watched her arms fall and her eyes fasten on his again, filled now with a sombreness.

"Sey, I don't want to lose you here. You know how much time I have to spend in Bevelle," his voice was hushed and urgent. Her face had fallen into a weary sadness that broke his heart to watch.

"I know, 'Lai, but you shouldn't have to be persecuted here for what you believe. Free speech to all-" she paused – she could hear the guard approach which sent an unpleasant shiver down her spine. She hugged Baralai tightly, feeling terrible for what she done, hoping they would be lenient on her.

"I'm sorry, 'Lai. I'm sorry to you, but not to them!" she said with an edge of fierceness. She drew what strength she could from his tight hug and rested her head on his shoulder. He followed suit and rested his head lightly on Seymel's shoulder. The gate creaked and four guards entered fully armed, breaking the two apart.

The first soldier stepped up to the two and gave a cough.

"Miss, you have to leave. Now!"

Baralai glared at the soldier's impoliteness and the man backed up slightly and quietened down. Baralai looked to Seymel, who appeared thoroughly regretful it ended this way.

"See you later?" she whispered – they both looked saddened by the whole affair. Baralai leant close to her ear, "I'll slip out as soon as I can and meet you in the woods," his voice tickled her ear. She mutely nodded and he kissed her lovingly.

Another soldier stepped forward in disbelief.

"Sir – that's a filthy Al Bhed!" he exclaimed.

In a flash the two had broken apart in shock – Baralai in a fury. He took out his quarterstaff and brandished it threateningly.

"How dare you insult this woman! How dare you be racist in Bevelle! Machina can be freely used and Al Bhed have helped largely with it!" he thundered and the soldier backed down while Seymel stood awkwardly in embarrassment.

"I-I'm sorry sir," the soldier choked out. Baralai still fumed, but Seymel went to his side and calmed him down with a heartbreaking look. "Baralai, let it be. I will go," she said softly, her hand rested on his arm. He calmed and put away his weapon a little reluctantly.

"Soon. I love you," he answered, but he could see in her eyes she would not say it back here with the soldiers watching her intently.

"Yes," she replied so quietly it was barely audible. Her eyes were on his and said 'I love you' where words could not. Baralai shifted slightly and pushed down the urge to grab her and kiss her there and then, so he gripped her hand reassuringly. With one last fleeting look, she left him on his own.

The Shining path in Macalania woods was where he had meant, she knew. She trekked there in no time, but the waiting took forever. She sat on the edge of a giant glowing sphere of misted light. It was right on the sharp bend that led down to near the exit that led to Shiva's temple. Seymel had fallen asleep after an hour, the weight of the day finally catching up with her, lulling her into slumber. Baralai felt like it had taken him forever to get away from all the work that apparently needed doing. He had rushed up the Shining path to find her fast asleep.

'And who could blame her I've kept her waiting so long,' he casually thought and sat down next to her. He looked at her lovingly as her head was tipped to the side, long lashes drawn over tired eyes. He leant over her and delicately kissed her. She jumped and sat up suddenly, narrowly missing bumping heads painfully with Baralai, who swiftly recoiled at her jerky movements.

"Ahhh!" she protested before gathering herself together.

"Hey, it's okay, I got away," he calmed her as she looked around. She smiled brightly, then it fell slightly. She was remembering the events of earlier.

"Baralai, you know what 'yes' meant earlier, didn't you?" she cautiously asked.

Baralai became quite solemn at the memory in the Bevelle garden.

"Yes," he replied gravely and Seymel took his hands and looked into his brown eyes.

"I love you," she simply said.

The two drew forward and kissed for some time – lost in their own world they rarely got to spend time in. Baralai couldn't help but lose his thread from time to time when she was there.

After a while they broke apart and looked out over the beautiful dying Macalania woods that glimmered in its blue hue breathtakingly. Seymel sat comfortably against Baralai's chest, his chin resting on the top of her head and his arms encircling her waist protectively.

"Do you remember when we first met?" he said softly. That day...it was one of the best and strangest days of his life. He'd never forget it.

"It was quite a day, wasn't it?" she chuckled and he joined her in her gentle laughter. Baralai lazily drifted over the memory with a soft smile.

"I was heading to Bevelle and you were fleeing from it," he recounted and she sat up indignantly, pulling her body out of his grasp.

"Was not! I just wanted to leave!" she protested and became playfully angry at his snort and light-heartedly gave him a shove.

"So what did those guards want with you?" he countered in amusement when Seymel put on her 'sweetest little angel' expression.

"I maybe screamed at the temple they were wrong and should be demolished," Seymel smiled enjoyably and swept her hair over her shoulder, smacking Baralai in the process. He jerked back and blinked a few times – a chunk of hair had caught him right in the eye – and settled back down with Seymel returning to her snug position.

"You got pretty far with a seriously sprained ankle," he recalled, but she waved a hand as if it was meaningless.

"That was later. I ran away in the woods, but tripped over after a battle and that's when I did myself in," she explained and shifted so her head rested on Baralai's shoulder.

"You were on the ground right by here inspecting your ankle when I came along," he recollected dreamily and she gave a bark of laughter.

"I was terrible to you! You wanted to help me and I was vicious," she laughed to herself and shook her head faintly.

Their first meeting...Yes, it was quite a day to remember. When she saw him and his religious clothes, she knew then and there she didn't want help. She looked over the memory fondly – her sitting grasping her ankle which throbbed with such a sting she thought she's never walk again. She'd been so hard-headed at first, it was unbelievable, she realised as she recalled the event. She had a few scuffle marks and a nasty lump on the side of her head from a battle with an irritated Blue Flan and a Wasp, which she had a nasty suspicion had some poison in their ugly stingers. He came along in his Yevon garb and knew she was in for it – she was positive he'd take her to the guards.

"Whoa – are you okay?" he had gasped and ran up to her crouched form, now glaring at him.

"I'm fine, don't bother with me," she had snapped back and massaged her ankle furiously, willing it to get better and fast.

He had ignored her impoliteness though and came closer.

"Have you injured yourself?" he asked and tried to see what she was gripping so tight, but she let her hair fall in front of her ankle to shield him from any show of weakness defiantly.

"Leave me alone! I can see you're Bevelle, so go!" she shouted to try and get him to walk on, but he shook his head.

"No, not until I see you up and walking," he persisted and she had sighed and gave in – he was clearly not going to go away.

"Fine, but make yourself useful if you're gonna be here," she huffily swept her hair behind her shoulders to reveal her quite swollen ankle, then to try and get him to go went to stand, only to scream in agony and fall back to the ground, her lip firmly bitten down on to stop herself crying in front of this enemy Yevon follower.

He went immediately to her side, his face worried as her skin seemed to get paler as they argued.

"Let me help you up. I'm Baralai, by the way," he introduced himself. She appeared too in pain to project her fearsome anger anymore, she looked pretty defeated and resigned to her fate.

"Seymel – OW!" she yelled as he helped her up and gently guided her to the glowing orb that travellers used as a bench to rest and take in the view. They sat down and Baralai eyed Seymel over with concern as she recomposed herself, dusting her dress feebly.

"Better?" he tentatively asked and she nodded glumly.

"Yes...Thank you, you can go now," she replied with a sharp edge to her voice. Baralai's expression turned to surprise and disbelief.

"What, when you're all alone with an injured leg?" he said clearly, his eyebrows knitted with anxiety as Seymel swayed slightly before regaining a defensive straightness to her back. She clearly didn't trust him – he could plainly she her bluntness on the subject of Yevon, but still... she was very beautiful, her hair was very long and a shiny reddish-blonde that contrasted her now very ashen complexion and her huge green eyes.

"What do you intend to do?" she weakly retorted, but her energy was swiftly ebbing... stupid Wasp, it did have a poisonous sting, damn it...

Baralai went to reply, then noticed her faint swaying had begun again and she'd made no attempt to stop it. Her face was stark white and her eyes were clouding over.

"Seymel?" he probed. Maybe she was just a little tired from the walk, he half-heartedly hoped.

"I feel...tired..." faint words slipped from her mouth before her head slowly fell onto his shoulder. Baralai panicked; this was no normal sleep and even if she had of been asleep, he was convinced she would of aimed for the ground rather than him.

"Seymel?!" he choked out and Seymel's recollection of their first meeting ended.

"Sey?" Baralai softly called as she snuggled into his side, now half asleep, half still roving over their first meeting with a small smile on her lips.

"Mmm?" she murmured, just to let him know she was awake.

"What do you remember after that?" he wondered, thinking back to rushing her to Bevelle frantically, her body limp in his arms, her head slumped into his chest, so gentle and soft he could hardly believe she was the same person as the snapping fiery character he had been dealing with just moments earlier.

Seymel thought about it.

"...Waking up in the Praetor's chamber. Then-" she gave a giggle, "I found out you were Praetor! I was so scared you'd do something to me, but the look on your face when you saw I was awake sealed it for me. I loved you then and there," her jade eyes crinkled with delight – her first and only love and she'd found he was a Yevon follower. The irony was not lost on her.

"I was scared you were never going to wake up! Every time I saw you lying there, I grew more and more certain there was something special about you," he murmured with a smile tugging the corners of his mouth. She had lain there for a week with her hair fanned out around her like some dark yet angelic halo. He gazed at the stars and saw Seymel shiver.

"Come on, we better get back," he gently pried his sleepy partner off him and sat her up as she rubbed her eyes and yawn, blinking until her eyes were clear and alert.

"I can't go back to our second home – I just got kicked out. And Kilika is no walk. When even was the last time you came home – truly home to Kilika?" she asked with a unhappy tone.

"...I'm not sure. A month ago, maybe?" he said hazily and shrugged his shoulders.

"It's nearer two months," she shot back.

Baralai's eyes widened in shock.

"That long?!" he gasped and shook his head. He couldn't believe he had spent that much time sorting out New Yevon.

Seymel stretched like a cat, got up and dusted her dress once more.

"Let's go to the Travel Inn," she suggested with a hint that no other options would be well received by her.

Baralai became resigned and stood by her.

"Okay," he replied and they set off into the night.