A Generation of Aeons
Chapter Twenty-Six

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X or X-2.

Last Time:

Kiron turned to face Lenne with a solemn expression. "Seru once spoke of a bond that she thought you shared with Takoire. The one in a generation kind where a summoner and guardian know what each other is feeling." He laughed dryly. "You know, he told me on the airship- that is before you started listening in on the conversation- he told me when he was living in Zanarkand, he was happier than he had ever been than in Bevelle as a high-ranking lord. Then he met you. I think he knew after you summoned Valefor at his last blitzball game…"

"Knew what?"

"Lenne, the life he led in Zanarkand was what he always wanted… and he gave all of that up for you when he became your guardian… Including his hidden past." Shuffling to a corner of the room, Kiron pulled out a package. "The feast tonight is formal. The entire Bevelle family will be there. I know for a fact that Takoire went out of his way to get this dress for you..." He set it on the table in front of Lenne and quietly left the room.

It was hours later, and everyone had retreated to their rooms. Lenne stared at herself in the mirror and smoothed nonexistent wrinkles down her dress. Hearing a soft knock on her door, the high summoner turned her head slightly at the voice.

"Lenne? It's Takoire. I'm not here to apologize, I think I did enough of that earlier, and if you're not going to listen, I don't think there's any point in trying. I'd be talking to a door… literally." Lenne gave a small smirk. Her guardian didn't seem to be putting a damper on his jokes despite the situation. "I know you don't want me around after what I did, but I'm afraid I can't help it. I'm only going there to be your guardian."

The only reason, Takoire? Lenne thought.

"The feast has already started. We should get going."

Slowly, Lenne opened her door and prayed her guardian didn't hear her gasp. There was Takoire, but in no form that Lenne knew him as. Gone was the Zanarkand Abes uniform, replaced by a uniform of another kind. He was dressed in a perfect black, and there were no buttons or pockets of any kind, with the exception of two hidden in his pants. A high collar was wrapped around his neck, and his sleeves went as far down as his wrists. The suit itself was loose enough for him to move around without any restrictions but was still taut and stiff enough to have a professional look. All the edges were lined with gold, and a double line ran through the center, eventually dividing into the two sides of his collar. His boots shined as if they were brand new, and in the upper right of the suit was Lenne's summoner's brand in gold.

But Lenne wasn't the only one who was surprised. Takoire was gaping and refused to believe his eyes. Lenne's hair was held by light-blue and green ribbons and proved to bring out her unique eyes, holding her hair up in such a way that there were no stray strands left in her face. The dress she wore was vaguely familiar but beyond any expectations that Takoire once had. Although it looked slightly constrained, Lenne moved without noticing in the slightest. Sleeveless, the dress was held up with a band on each arm and the dress followed the line down. It started as a rosy pink, the color of a blush, and faded until the bottom of the dress was as red as the most passionate rose.

Takoire cleared his throat and bowed, gesturing Lenne to take her place in front of him. "Milady," was all he whispered.

She didn't answer but gave a small nod. The two began to walk; Takoire was of course behind Lenne, as was proper etiquette.

Reaching the two grand staircases, Lenne saw Kiron, Seru, and Zaon. Joining their party, the two high summoners peered over the ledge and into the festivities below. Lenne had rarely seen so many people gathered in one place. A hundred conversations took place at once, and with the overall hum and music, Lenne couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy. The only time she had been in an environment such as this, her parents and their friends were the guests of honor, not Lenne and her friends.

She turned to Kiron, who stood near her. "New clothes I see."

The garments Kiron now wore were different than any other he had before. If Sareth's garments were complex, than Kiron's were simple. The sleeveless shirt was gone, replaced by a simple long sleeved hunter green tunic. Over that was a simple navy wrap with wide sleeves contrary to Sareth's purple; Kiron's clothes were almost completely blank, marked only by his summoner's brand above his heart, outlined in silver, and two stripes on each of his shoulders: each one representing a different color of an aeon, displaying his rank as a high summoner.

The prince shrugged. "A mixture of my royalty and summoner rank. I couldn't go to the feast just as Prince Kiron of Zanarkand; especially since this party is almost exclusively Bevelle royalty, with the exception of a few who are under the maester's good graces." He smiled, looking at her. "It seems that dress suits you as well, Lenne."

She looked at her clothes, still slightly unsure. "You think so?"

"Absolutely."

Zaon was wearing a uniform similar to Takoire. Seru on the other hand was wearing a flowing gold gown with Kiron's summoner's brand in black on her right shoulder. She wore a strange face, not bothering to hide the fact that something serious was on her mind.

"Shall we go?" Kiron asked. Lenne only nodded her head. "It's best that Zaon, Seru, and I go first. Being Zanarkand royalty and all, if I don't, they'll get the impression that I'm weak. You understand, right?" His voice sounded bitter the entire time. She understood the look that Kiron was giving off; Lenne was feeling the same thing. They both didn't want to go. They still weren't talking to their guardians.

Kiron took the east set of stairs while Lenne took the west. They attempted to stay even with each other while the people below began to take notice.

Takoire and Seru were sick to their stomachs. They put on a blank expression on the outside, expected of any guardian. Here they were, in a place they thought they had left behind. Under normal circumstances, the pressure would be bearable, but their closest friends and confidants weren't talking to them. Their friends couldn't offer helpful advice or something to lift their spirits. The only people Takoire and Seru could confide in were each other. The only problem was that they had the same problem.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, the room was completely silent, and the group could hear their footsteps echoing down the marble stairs. Walking in front of Kiron, Zaon and Seru stopped and bowed to their audience.

"I am the guardian Zaon."

"I am the guardian Seru."

"We present to you our high summoner, Kiron, of Zanarkand."

At these words, Kiron bowed his head.

From Lenne's view, the hall was more long than wide, something that could not be seen from above. There were three tables that were put in the form of a u. The food had not yet been served, and everyone had gathered, striking up conversations. Men were dressed handsomely while the women were no less beautiful. Maester Arheist stood at the front of the crowd; a gold chalice in his hand. His completely gray hair was cut short and neat, while his mustache took on a similar fashion. His clothes announced him as the highest of Bevelle royalty, but at the same time, presented him as a maester. He wore stripes similar to Kiron's on his shoulders but wore a metal chain on his shoulder that was a strange mixture between black and brown: the Cheribum's colors.

Kiron spoke, "Maester Arheist, I thank you with the deepest of gratitude for welcoming me into your city. I pray you see this as an outstretched out hand of friendship from Zanarkand."

Maester Arheist nodded. "Indeed. Let this put to rest the differences between the places we call home."

With a smile, Kiron bowed again and stepped forward until Zaon and Seru were once again behind him and moved to the side.

Takoire stepped forward past Lenne and bowed. "I am the guardian Takoire II. I present to you my high summoner, Lenne, of Zanarkand."

This attracted more than its fair share of whispers among the audience. Takoire noted his uncle stop thoughtfully for a moment before speaking. "High Summoner Lenne? A pleasure to meet you. Word of your manifestation has spread like fire throughout my city."

"I apologize, Maester Arheist."

"Why?" he asked good-naturedly. "It takes the gossip off the royal family!"

Lenne smiled shyly. "Of course, and thank you for welcoming me into your city."

As she lifted her head, Lenne noticed a few people had moved to the front of the crowd. The first, Lord Takoire I, their earlier conversation concluded without a doubt that he was Takoire's father… or should she refer to her guardian as Takoire II? In any case, the lord marshal was obviously dressed in what was a soldier's uniform. Although the purple base established him as royalty, he wore a red sash across his chest decorated with silver linings.

In the crook of his arm was a woman of similar age, and although she did not appear as worn, she still had some obvious wrinkles below her eyes. Lenne immediately recognized where Takoire and Sareth had received their stormy gray eyes; the eyes that could appear like a violent turn on nature or the calm that always followed the storm. Lenne was sure without a doubt that this woman was Takoire's mother. A mother who was seeking glances at the son she had not seen in years.

In the corner of the room, Lenne spotted Sareth. Dressed similarly to his father, it seemed the lord marshal apprentice had gone to every extent to exaggerate his importance through his uniform. The equally young high summoner was amazed at the amount of medals on his uniform… and by the fact he didn't fall over by the weight of them.

Maester Arheist put on a smile and rubbed his hands together. "Well, let's not stand here staring at each other. I suggest we eat!"

Lenne became grateful that the people's attention was diverted elsewhere. They began to move off into their respective seats while Lenne and her friends looked around somewhat confused. Maester Arheist remained cheerful. "Come! High Summoner Kiron and your guardians, if you would, we have a reserved a seat of honor for you next to Lord Marshal Takoire I's wife, Lady Kaira."

"Of course," Kiron responded, bowing his head. "I welcome your hospitality."

Kiron, Seru, and Zaon moved to stand behind their assigned seats while the maester of Bevelle turned his attention to Lenne and Takoire II. "Now High Summoner Lenne, and," he paused for a moment, "guardian. I have arranged for you to sit next to the Lord Marshal Apprentice, Lord Sareth. You'll forgive the empty seat on his right; it belongs to my son, Prince Arkon. I'm sure you've heard he is currently on his pilgrimage."

"Yes," Lenne nodded. "I have."

Moving to their seats, Sareth gave a confident smirk and bow to Lenne. "A pleasure to see you again so soon, milady summoner." Sareth let out a small chuckle. "Brother…"

As everyone took their seats, a deafening silence took hold. It was the first time since that morning that anyone had publicly recognized Lenne's guardian as the former lord marshal apprentice, Lord Takoire II. And if the rumors of Lord Takoire II's return were true, what about the rumors of Lady Seru?

Takoire II only gave the courtesy of a nod in Sareth's direction before assuming a position behind his chair on the right of Lenne.

Maester Arheist put on what was obviously a forced smile. "Well, I think we've waited long enough, don't you think?" He clapped his hands. "Let the feast begin!"

At those words, servants came from all corners of the room holding silver platters. Takoire graciously pulled out the chair for Lenne while Kiron did the same for Seru. Despite the awkward situation between the two pairs, Lenne and Kiron had enough sense not to let the court know of their problems.

Taking their seats, everyone began placing food on their plates. Images of Suzaku, Byakko, Genbu, and Seiryu were laid out everywhere, including a statue of each within pockets of the walls. On the wall behind Lenne, a giant tapestry hung displaying generations of Bevelle royalty and their crest. Near the bottom was the newest generation, but Lenne could see that an alteration had been placed in the line that led down from Lord Takoire I.

"So, brother," Sareth said, eating his food quaintly on the left side of Lenne, "how was your first day in Bevelle? See any old friends?"

Everyone at the uppermost table ceased their conversations and turned to hear the guardian's response. Takoire calmly took a sip of wine from his goblet before answering. "No, can't say that I've seen anyone. I've been busy all day. I'm a guardian, and I have duties to attend to."

"If you do not mind," Maester Arheist said, "where have you been all these years?"

"Zanarkand, Maester Arheist."

Placing his goblet back down on the table, the maester turned thoughtful for a moment. "Let us forget this charade, Takoire. I am your uncle, and you are my nephew. So let us call each other such, not maester or guardian."

Takoire showed no signs of any reaction. "Seru gave me the impression that we were both disowned. Or rather, I was disowned and because of my actions Seru and her mother, Lady Tamara, had no where to go."

"It was a hard decision, Takoire. We made it as the leaders of Bevelle, not as your family. As your family, we understood, but we had to take the best course for Bevelle. If we had not done what we did, Bevelle would not have a lord marshal apprentice and heir to the ages. You cannot say that we were not worried about you. I know for a fact that your mother has been worried these past five years."

"My apologies," Takoire's voice sounded somber, "and especially to you, Mother, but everyone knows I was never suited for the responsibilities."

The table became silent for a moment before Sareth broke the silence, not bothering to hide his amusement. "Then if you were not suited to the responsibilities, why have you returned as a guardian? The legacy you were born into had you destined as a guardian if certain events were to take place in our generation."

"Being a guardian and being heir to the ages are two different things, brother. I chose to become Lenne's guardian because she's my friend and she needed my help. I chose to become her guardian; no one made the decision for me. That's it."

Sareth cocked his head. "Well, I was just going to say that Lenne has an interesting summoner brand. A rising sun and setting moon over the ocean…"

Takoire ignore him the best he could. "I never noticed."

Lenne shook her head politely as she turned down another young man to dance. Nearby, she heard a chuckle that Lenne thought had disappeared after Macalania. "Forgive me for laughing, Lenne, but how many men have you turned down for a dance?"

Two hours had passed since the awkward conversation over dinner. Now the musicians were filling the room with moderately paced music, and almost everyone could be found dancing. But that wasn't what Lenne was watching. Takoire had kept to himself the entire party, occasionally moving but always giving Lenne her privacy. However, she couldn't help but notice a group of girls similar to her own age eyeing Takoire and constantly whispering to each other.

"I'm not sure. I wasn't keeping track."

"Well," Kiron said, walking over to her and giving a small bow, "perhaps you'll give into my ego just this once and dance with me?"

She laughed and nodded, taking the hand he had offered. "Just this once. But we're not going to make a habit out of this."

"Of course," he agreed.

Kiron led Lenne through a series of steps and turns with the music. It seemed they had been dancing for some time before Lenne finally spoke.

"Have you talked to Seru yet?"

The prince shook his head. "No. You talk to Takoire?"

"No."

"I'm still getting over the fact they were betrothed. The fact that she used to be Bevelle royalty doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would…What bothers me is that she and Takoire were betrothed, and they hid it from us."

"I feel the same way, Kiron."

"How do you think they feel about each other?" Kiron asked, his voice sounding as if he was trying to cover some unknown emotion.

Lenne knew because she was trying to hide the same thing. "I'm just as lost as you are."

Seru stood alone in a corner of the room. Seeing all these faces again was a shock; some she recognized, some she didn't. When her father was alive, Seru and her mother were always just as social as everyone else. Thinking of her father brought a smile to her lips. He was always outgoing and friendly, always seeing the good side of people.

The way Seru remembered him, Lord Roener was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He had a light brown plait that was the same shade as her hair but was shortly cut in a military style and piercing blue eyes that seemed to emit a gentle reassurance. Roener had gone to the same military training facility as Takoire I, and the two had become fast friends. At the time, the Lord Marshal Apprentice Takoire I had brought his friend to his father's attention, and Roener ascended through the army's ranks. It was through Roener that Arheist, Takoire I's brother, met Doma, his young aunt. Although Doma was Roener's aunt, she was only three years older than him. The eventual marriage of Arheist and Doma made Roener a low form of Bevelle royalty, as well as the wife and daughter he would eventually have.

Ryak was Roener's godson and his wife's nephew. The head summoner of Byakko was only a year older than Seru, and both were only children; they held a close bond as cousins. Takoire I and Roener kept their friendship over the years, and Ryak and Takoire II became equally as good friends.

Returning to reality, Seru saw Takoire approaching her with a worried face. "Something wrong?" she asked.

He looked at her seriously. "Dance with me?"

"What?"

He sounded slightly breathless. "Do you remember Yara and her little group? The ones who used to always follow me around?"

Seru nodded. "Didn't they all have a crush on you?"

"Yeah. It seems my family honor doesn't bother them. They've been trying to get me to dance with one of them all night."

She cocked her sympathetically. "Sure. I can't think of anything productive to do."

A new, quicker paced song started, and Takoire and Seru made their way to the floor. In a spin, Seru saw the same group from earlier whisper even more as she danced with Takoire.

"You know, this is going to start even more rumors about us."

He shrugged. "I'd dance with Lenne, but the situation doesn't exactly call for it. Besides that, who cares what the court thinks? We're not engaged anymore, so why should it concern us?"

Seru nodded with a smile. Although they continued to dance, she could still hear the whispers and feel the eyes following them. The music changed and called for an exchange of partners, which wouldn't have been a problem if the pair across from them hadn't been Kiron and Lenne.

They all stared at each other for a moment, feeling everyone else's eyes fall on them.

"We don't want to cause a scene," Takoire suggested somberly.

The four nodded, and with a tiny frown, Lenne let her guardian lead her through the next dance.

"Don't worry," he said. "As soon as this song is over, I'll leave you alone."

Although they went through the motions flawlessly, they both felt it was somewhat hollow.

"Why?" Lenne finally asked. "Why did you lie to me? Why didn't you tell me? Didn't you trust me?"

He stared at her open-mouthed and shocked. "Of course I trust you! I trust you more than anyone, ever. But…" Takoire couldn't look at her but continued to dance. "I'm not something to be proud of. I ran away from home when I was fourteen and abandoned my responsibilities. Because of me, Seru and her mother had no where to go… you have every right to never speak to me again."

"I'm not holding what you did against you," Lenne muttered. "I just don't understand why you would hide this from me."

"Come on, you should be ashamed to have someone like me as your guardian."

"You're wrong," she argued. "You stuck by some weird girl who claimed she was from a thousand years in the future. You saved her life. You were always ready to listen or answer any of my questions. You're my best friend."

Takoire was instantly silenced. He hadn't expected this from her. He hadn't expected anything like this at all. At the very most, he only expected her to tolerate him and a conversation every now and then, but she was openly admitting that she considered him her best friend. It was more than he could ever have hoped for. "I'm sorry I hid it from you, Lenne. I shouldn't have, and you deserve more than that. Forgive me?"

She nodded. "Takoire, there's something I have to ask you though."

"Anything."

"How-How do you and Seru feel about each other?"

Takoire let out a chuckle, but Lenne wasn't sure what to make of it. "Just good friends. Our engagement was arranged purely by our parents. We're nothing but good friends."

Lenne seemed satisfied at this answer although she couldn't fathom why.

The music suddenly slowed, and people began to drift from the floor. "You want to stop dancing?" Takoire asked quietly. She shook her head. The guardian glanced over at Kiron and Seru who were also still dancing. He felt Lenne's head rest on his shoulder, and he suddenly felt at peace. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you, but you did pick out this dress, didn't you?"

Takoire shrugged. "I hardly recognized it. I think you made the dress look even more beautiful." He heard her laugh, and he relished the sound.

"You look quite handsome yourself, Takoire." She lifted her head off his shoulder to look at him and into his eyes, getting lost in what felt like the calm after a storm.

Takoire looked back into hers. Everything seemed to fade away, all the people, the music, his parents and brother; everything had faded but her. She seemed so perfect at that moment. Her soft skin and gentle smile. The smile he knew for a fact she only showed to him. Losing all competent train of thought, Takoire closed his eyes and craned his head so that he could meet Lenne's lips…

Author's Notes:

Final Revision