No Matter How Dark the Night
Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I do not own FFX or anything associated with it.
Ok, peeps! Here you go, the next chappie, complete with new, improved writing style. THX to ebil-nanaki, Sakin, heath 999, and rjtheclown for your honest reviews, constructive criticism, and raves!
As the months passed, Isthia and Auron settled into their roles as apprentice summoner and warrior monk in training. Together, they learned and absorbed the teachings of Yevon, allowing it to mold their thinking and shape their decisions. Quickly, they began to mature into the man and woman they would become.
"That's right. Don't think about it so hard. You have the talent. Now use it."
Isthia tried to erase the expression of disdain on her face as she concentrated on her spell casting. Kirin Lighthand was becoming a source of constant irritation to the pretty young girl. He never seemed to be far from her when she was learning or practicing her art. Always ready with a complement, a smile, a helpful hint- she appreciated his interest at first, but soon realized he was being more than helpful. This was made apparent one night after a particularly trying day.
There had been a large fiend on the rampage in Macalania woods, and several pilgrims to Bevelle had been injured. Isthia had been honored to participate in helping to heal them. But it took its toll. When Isthia finally emerged from the chamber where they had housed the wounded, Kirin was waiting. Isthia sighed in exasperation. Could she never escape him? His honest face creased into a concerned frown when he saw her weariness.
"Hey, you look exhausted. Are you ok?"
Isthia groaned inwardly. "Not the best welcome, Kirin. Do I look ok?" It came out sharper than she intended, and she recoiled slightly when his expression changed to one of hurt.
"I'm sorry- I didn't mean that. It's just that- I've never done this before, and....I guess I didn't realize how taxing it would be. Just ignore me."
Kirin's expression was firm. "Lady Isthia, you'd do well to learn to guard your emotions. One day the people of Spira will look up to you as a support. You must learn to be strong."
Isthia held up a hand. "Spare me the Yevon bull, Kirin. I don't need this right now, Ok?"
Kirin nodded. "I'm sorry- you're right. Can I take you to dinner? As an apology?"
"No." Isthia was in no mood to be generous. "As you so graciously pointed out, I'm tired. I want to go home and go to sleep." With that, she spun on her heel and walked away from the dazed young priest.
Auron was not having the best of days either. A different warrior monk had come to Bevelle to take the training of the apprentices to a new level- and Auron had the wound to his shoulder and his pride to prove it. A long time had passed since anyone had challenged his skill. But this guy knew his way around a katana. And so here Auron sat, nursing the bruise on his shoulder from a particularly dangerous overhead block that- well, he hadn't blocked.
"Hi there. Bruised ego?"
Auron rolled his eyes when he heard Gaia approach from behind. She rarely left him alone now, and while the dinners with her family he had attended – with Isthia in tow- had done good things for his advancing skill, he was getting the feeling that with Gaia, it was more than 'professional interest.' But she hadn't won any points with that last remark, and he was getting ready to let her know it.
"My ego doesn't bruise," he snarled. "My shoulder, however, does. So instead of hurling smart remarks around, why don't you make yourself useful and find a healer? Or are you just window dressing for Daddy?"
It sounded awful, even to him, but in his present mood, he wasn't about to apologize. Gaia's catlike green eyes went wide with surprise, then narrowed in anger. When she spoke, her voice was low and dark.
"Well, I don't know what happened to you today, but until you can address me with the respect I deserve you can just not address me at all. How's that, Mr. Tough all-go-no-quit?" She began to walk away before the tears welling in her eyes began to fall. She wouldn't let him see her cry.
"Fine!" Auron yelled after her. "That's the best idea you've had since we met!" He then got to his feet and went to find Isthia, knowing that she could heal both his wounds- and wouldn't be such a cat about doing it.
Well, there you have it. Hope you like, and sorry it took me so long to post this. Enjoy- will Isthia and Auron make up with each of their third wheels to save their positions? Will it turn to something more? Stay tuned for chapter 5, coming soon!
Disclaimer: I do not own FFX or anything associated with it.
Ok, peeps! Here you go, the next chappie, complete with new, improved writing style. THX to ebil-nanaki, Sakin, heath 999, and rjtheclown for your honest reviews, constructive criticism, and raves!
As the months passed, Isthia and Auron settled into their roles as apprentice summoner and warrior monk in training. Together, they learned and absorbed the teachings of Yevon, allowing it to mold their thinking and shape their decisions. Quickly, they began to mature into the man and woman they would become.
"That's right. Don't think about it so hard. You have the talent. Now use it."
Isthia tried to erase the expression of disdain on her face as she concentrated on her spell casting. Kirin Lighthand was becoming a source of constant irritation to the pretty young girl. He never seemed to be far from her when she was learning or practicing her art. Always ready with a complement, a smile, a helpful hint- she appreciated his interest at first, but soon realized he was being more than helpful. This was made apparent one night after a particularly trying day.
There had been a large fiend on the rampage in Macalania woods, and several pilgrims to Bevelle had been injured. Isthia had been honored to participate in helping to heal them. But it took its toll. When Isthia finally emerged from the chamber where they had housed the wounded, Kirin was waiting. Isthia sighed in exasperation. Could she never escape him? His honest face creased into a concerned frown when he saw her weariness.
"Hey, you look exhausted. Are you ok?"
Isthia groaned inwardly. "Not the best welcome, Kirin. Do I look ok?" It came out sharper than she intended, and she recoiled slightly when his expression changed to one of hurt.
"I'm sorry- I didn't mean that. It's just that- I've never done this before, and....I guess I didn't realize how taxing it would be. Just ignore me."
Kirin's expression was firm. "Lady Isthia, you'd do well to learn to guard your emotions. One day the people of Spira will look up to you as a support. You must learn to be strong."
Isthia held up a hand. "Spare me the Yevon bull, Kirin. I don't need this right now, Ok?"
Kirin nodded. "I'm sorry- you're right. Can I take you to dinner? As an apology?"
"No." Isthia was in no mood to be generous. "As you so graciously pointed out, I'm tired. I want to go home and go to sleep." With that, she spun on her heel and walked away from the dazed young priest.
Auron was not having the best of days either. A different warrior monk had come to Bevelle to take the training of the apprentices to a new level- and Auron had the wound to his shoulder and his pride to prove it. A long time had passed since anyone had challenged his skill. But this guy knew his way around a katana. And so here Auron sat, nursing the bruise on his shoulder from a particularly dangerous overhead block that- well, he hadn't blocked.
"Hi there. Bruised ego?"
Auron rolled his eyes when he heard Gaia approach from behind. She rarely left him alone now, and while the dinners with her family he had attended – with Isthia in tow- had done good things for his advancing skill, he was getting the feeling that with Gaia, it was more than 'professional interest.' But she hadn't won any points with that last remark, and he was getting ready to let her know it.
"My ego doesn't bruise," he snarled. "My shoulder, however, does. So instead of hurling smart remarks around, why don't you make yourself useful and find a healer? Or are you just window dressing for Daddy?"
It sounded awful, even to him, but in his present mood, he wasn't about to apologize. Gaia's catlike green eyes went wide with surprise, then narrowed in anger. When she spoke, her voice was low and dark.
"Well, I don't know what happened to you today, but until you can address me with the respect I deserve you can just not address me at all. How's that, Mr. Tough all-go-no-quit?" She began to walk away before the tears welling in her eyes began to fall. She wouldn't let him see her cry.
"Fine!" Auron yelled after her. "That's the best idea you've had since we met!" He then got to his feet and went to find Isthia, knowing that she could heal both his wounds- and wouldn't be such a cat about doing it.
Well, there you have it. Hope you like, and sorry it took me so long to post this. Enjoy- will Isthia and Auron make up with each of their third wheels to save their positions? Will it turn to something more? Stay tuned for chapter 5, coming soon!
