The Birth of Pain
A/N: I know this has never come up in a review but I just felt like pointing out my reasoning for the very young age (18) the Auron and Leyla are getting married at besides the timeline requirement for Paine to be their daughter. True there is an in-game precedent, Yuna was only 17 when she agreed to marry Seymour. I feel it is justified by Sin. Because of Sin, the average Spiran life-expectancy is that of a suicidal mayfly so it is natural that like any culture where death at a young age is expected, they mature young and marry young.
Speaking of age, Wednesday July 21st was my 17th birthday. The best present I can imagine from you, my beloved readers, would be a nice review. Please do so! We're getting very close to the chapter I've been waiting the whole fic to write, don't fail on me now!
Sin seemed far away that day in Bevelle when the sun shone pure white in the sky, bathing the bride and groom with a celestial light. Perhaps not even far away but non-existant, a bad dream that had plagued the world for nearly a thousand years.
It was a joyful occasion, a celebration of not one but two warrior-monks being joined in holy matrimony under Yevon. All of Bevelle was a buzz about how the couple, though entitled to have the grand-maester of the warrior- monks proclaim the vows, had instead requested a fallen priest, the disgrace that had married an Al Bhed. They had even postponed their wedding a month so that the heathen woman could recover from giving birth to her daughter. There had been angry mutters about the half-Al Bhed, half Yevonite abomination but they had faded when it was learned that the clergy had "dealt with it".
Though the couple had passed up their chance to have one of the highest ranking officials in Spira sanctify their union they had not passed up their entitled setting. Should a warrior-monk wish to wed, for of course it was not forbidden, they would do it no other place that the temple of St. Bevelle itself.
Afterwards Auron and Leyla, now blissfully happy, had briefly thanked all the guests, mostly fellow warrior-monks in addition to a few of Leyla's relatives from Kilika. Lulu had been unable to attend due to her youth and lack of protection for the journey. Leyla had felt it was better that way, feeling more secure in the knowledge of her niece's safety than disappointed at her absence.
Once the need for politeness had been satisfied, Auron and Leyla escaped to the balcony outside the temple, where Braska, Rikku, and their baby girl waited beside the railing. Beneath them stretched all of Bevelle, shining as beautiful and carefree as a jewel.
"Congratulations, Auron," Braska said warmly, "And you as well, Leyla. You look very beautiful and I see you've managed to have Auron wear something other than that coat of his." Indeed she had for today the instead of the standard uniform that he was hardly ever seen without Auron was wearing a deep blue overcoat of a more formal cut with silver embroidery at the collar and sleeves now unbuttoned due to the heat of the summer sun. underneath he wore a crisp white shirt and black pants. Leyla's wedding dress was simple and form fitting white with a square neck that left the shoulders bare. At her waist dangled an ornamental silver belt like an oversized necklace.
"The coat wasn't the difficult part, my Lord. The sword on the other hand..." Leyla grinned. Rikku snorted with laughter and it seemed that even the new baby was having a laugh at Auron's expense though she was far too young to know that the upturning of her lips as she sucked on her fingers could be taken for an amused smile.
"Have you and Rikku finally decided on a name, my Lord?" Auron asked in an attempt to get off the subject of the creativity, or lack thereof, of his wardrobe.
"It's been two weeks, Rikku. Any longer and she'll only respond to 'Hey, you,'" Leyla added.
"I assure you that is not the case, Leyla," Braska said, "We both had our own ideas and unfortunately neither of us was willing to give in."
"He wanted to name her after some old Yevonite priestess that's been dead for a thousand years. I had a much more practical one, an Al Bhed inventor who changed the world," Rikku said, shouldering the baby so she could tuck a strand of her shoulder-length blond hair behind her ear.
"What did you finally decide on?" Leyla asked.
"It seems that Rikku's inventor was male, she had been counting on the child being a boy which meant I should have won by default. But Rikku was not raised amongst us and doesn't understand the honor that we attach to the name Yunalesca," Braska explained.
"Well it sure is a mouthful! And besides," a veil seriousness descended on her, "we Al Bhed respect the Summoners but I don't want to name my daughter after the woman who began a tradition of endless ritual sacrifice."
"Not endless, Rikku. There is always a chance that Sin won't come back," Braska said, it sounded like an old argument that had ended in a stalemate, "We finally agreed on the nickname I had planned for her: Yuna," Braska said.
"Yuna," Auron said aloud to himself. "It is a fine name, my Lord."
"Thank you, Auron," Braska said.
Auron traced a finger down the side of the infants face when something that had been niggling at the back of his thoughts came into the light, "Her eyes!" One of the girl's eyes was a deep ocean blue like her father's but her right eye was bright green, the same strange color shared by all the Al Bhed. All it lacked was the swirling pupil.
"Yes. I am afraid she will always be marked by them," Braska said, "One day I hope she will bear it proudly, as a sign of unity between our two races and not as the stigma of a half-breed," there was more than a touch of bitterness in her voice.
"Fear not, my friend, one day you're dream will come true," Auron said comfortingly yet there was strength behind his words, a strength that Braska had come to depend on though the younger warrior-monk had always felt that he was the dependent.
"We can all hope," A thickly accented voice said from behind the cluster of newlyweds and new parents. The voice tickled at the back of Auron's memory but he could not place until he turned and saw the Al Bhed youth from Macalania, still in his yellow coat and blue pantaloons despite the formality of the occasion.
"Please excuse the interruption but I have news for the Lady Rikku. It has been a long time, has it not?" Rin said
"Would you introduce me to your friend, Rikku?" Braska whispered in his wife's ear. However, she seemed just as lost as he was then something clicked in her head.
"Rin? I haven't seen you since you ran off three years ago. Where didja get the accent?" Rikku exclaimed.
"Ahem," Rin had the grace to look embarrassed, "It is more of an affectation than an accent, I'm afraid. Something I picked up as I traveled Spira in search of sites for my travel agencies."
"So that worked out, huh?" Rikku said then turned to her bewildered companions. "Rin was one of my brother's friends back Home but he left a few years ago to 'seek his fortune'. You might like him, muja, he also wants Yevonites and Al Bhed to get along."
"Hela du saad oui," Rin greeted the fallen priest, "So you are the famous Yevonite who wishes to unite our people. I heard much of you while visiting Home but it has not been very complimentary of late. However, I have a feeling that is about to change soon," He turned back to Rikku. "I was sent here to give you a message from your brother: Ra ec cunno yht fecrac du caa oui ykyeh du syga ysahtc. He would like you to return Home whenever it is convenient."
"My place is here, Rin. If Cid wanted to make amends he should have done it awhile ago," Rikku's cheeks flushed, turning to Braska she carefully placed baby Yuna into his arms and turned the full force of her anger on the Al Bhed merchant, "What's with the sudden change of heart? Why is he being all brotherly now? Where was he when Braska and I were married? Oh, now I remember! He banished us and refused to talk to me!"
"Tell him no! I'm not coming back so that he can feel better about himself but I will extend the invitation to Yuna in case she ever wants to meet her relatives back Home," Rikku spat, "You tell him that Rin. I never want to see him again but he's never going to stop Yuna if she wants to go back!"
"My lady, I am just a messenger and I will not be returning Home for at least a year. If you wish to tell him these things you must tell him yourself. He has already arranged for a ship to come for you in six months time should you require it," Rin said.
"How generous of him. What about that whole 'at your own convenience' thing, huh?" Rikku ranted.
Rin shrugged helplessly, "I am very sorry Lady Rikku but there is nothing more I can do. I do hope that you will consider his offer though," with that he bowed to the bride and groom, "I apologize for interrupting the festivities. Syo oui ryja syho zuovim oaync dukadran," ignoring the glares of priests and warrior-monks who recognized him by his bright yellow hair for an Al Bhed, Rin descended the stairs and was quickly out of sight.
"Ooh, that man!" Rikku fumed.
"You should go, Rikku," Braska said, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He is your brother and they are your people. Yuna will be fine with me."
"After what he did?" Rikku said pleadingly. "He may be my brother but that...that was unforgivable."
"He had his reasons, Rikku, it would be best if you heard him out."
"Oh..." Rikku rubbed at her eyes which had become large and liquid. Auron realized that she was on the edge of breaking down.
"It is not for another six months, my lady, and you do not have to forgive him," Auron said.
"Forgive him? You have every right to knock him senseless, which I'm sure you'll do," Leyla said with a wink. Rikku looked heartened and turned back to her husband.
"You're sure you'll be ok while I'm gone, Braska?" she said.
"There is nothing to fear, Yuna and I will be fine," Braska said.
"I guess... Alright its settled! I just hope Cid knows what he's getting himself into," Rikku grinned wickedly and Auron felt a fleeting pang of pity for the unsuspecting Al Bhed.
1) Muja
Love
2)Hela du saad oui
Nice to meet you
3) Ra ec cunno yht fecrac du caa oui ykyeh du syga ysahtc
He is sorry and wishes to see you again to make amends.
4) Ra ec cunno yht fecrac du caa oui ykyeh du syga ysahtc
May you have many joyful years together.
A/N: I was a little disappointed about the number of reviews for the last chapter but I thank profusely the one's who gave them. Please, remember my brithday and leave a review!