Isaaru didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He'd do both, but he was being watched by his brother Maroda and fellow former summoner Zetu, Baralai's only trusted Consul, was with him. So, instead Isaaru sat on his bed with his hands on his chin. He still felt uneasy about the use of sphere screens to view the speech, but he didn't have much of a choice and neither did those who couldn't make it to the Luca Stadium.
As for now though, he was glad that he didn't have to see the three leaders live, because if he did, it would have taken every ounce of willpower he had to not laugh in their faces. It wasn't that the speech was bad, some of parts actually had him nodding in agreement or genuinely touched, it was just the metaphors. Ships? Being captains of ships? Spira being one big ship? Isaaru had to hold his hands to his mouth when he heard that. But, what made him most tempted to laugh was the clear implication that everyone would be living peacefully and working together for a better Spira forever. Had that speech been given when he was a child, Isaaru would believed it. But, now? No way. Of course, they thanked Yuna and the Gullwings and the 'farewell, but not good-bye' part made him smile.
"You don't seem optimistic, Isaaru," Zetu noted, standing in front of him. "Is there something wrong?"
"Do you honestly believe what the three were saying?"
"For the most part, yes," Zetu replied. "However, some people will say anything to get into the good graces of those they seek to lead."
"No way! I think they were totally sincere!" Maroda interjected. "I can't believe you two! They want everyone to get along and work together! What's wrong with that?"
"Don't misunderstand me, Maroda," Zetu held up a hand. "I see no deception in the three at all. Naivte`? Yes, but they are young and I believe they are sincere.
"Baralai is indeed young," Isaaru said quietly. "But, I don't believe for a single moment that he believed everything he said."
Zetu narrowed his eyes, "Then you have to ask him when he returns."
"You better believe I will do so, but it would turn into a very complicated dance," Isaaru grinned. "Please forgive me, Zetu, I know he is your friend, but I believe I will have difficulty with him". /As I have in the past/.
"Don't be like that brother!" Maroda said, slapping Isaaru's arm. "You should cooperate."
"Oh," Isaaru sighed. "I'm not stupid, Maroda. I just know that Baralai will not be easy for me to deal with."
"That would depend on how you treat him," Zetu replied, folding his arms in his blue robes. "You must not forgot that he is the Praetor."
/By means both fair and foul, I know/. Isaaru thought, looking down, trying to block out how Baralai saved both his life and the lives of his two younger brothers and then remembering how the younger man tried to use the former Summoner as he was used by Old Yevon. "I haven't forgotten, believe me. It's not as if I am entirely innocent." /Baralai is far from innocent. Now if I can just forget the way he would look at me.../.
"You got that right," Maroda laughed.
"Oh, shut up," Isaaru groaned, rolling his eyes.
"Did you catch Gippal grabbing Baralai by the hand and running off the stage?" Maroda suddenly asked, drawing a chuckle from Zetu. Isaaru though, sat straight up.
"Did he now?"
"Yes, he did," Zetu replied. "What of it?"
"Yes, what of it, Maroda?" Isaaru looked at his dark-skinned younger brother with keen interest.
"I just thought it was really bold. The way they were holding hands. You'd think they were in love."
Zetu chuckled, while Isaaru leaned back against his hands.
"That's because they are," Zetu said simply.
"He told you that?" Isaaru asked with widened eyes, suddenly feeling jealous and he couldn't explain why.
"Not so much in words, but I had a feeling that something was there whenever the Machine Faction was mentioned," Zetu answered.
"Is that how Gippal got Djose?" Maroda suddenly inquired, causing Isaaru to roll his blue eyes again.
"No, Moronda!" Isaaru snapped. "Gippal attained Djose Temple because Trema allowed it."
"Baralai was not the Praetor at the time," Zetu calmly answered, pressing his lips together so he wouldn't laugh. "But, he did have something to do with it." He fell silent. Isaaru knew that there was more to it than that, but also knew that Maroda didn't need to know about it.
"What do you mean?" Maroda prodded.
"You don't need to know," Isaaru finally said, glaring at his younger brother.
Maroda shrugged, "Well, I was just asking."
"Anyway," Zetu continued, "Everytime Gippal was even remotely mentioned, Baralai had a look in his eyes. Sometimes it was pure anger and sometimes it was joy. Either way, they were often mixed with longing, but I had a feeling that they were not looks a mere comrade would have. I know this because sometimes the New Yevon girls would speak of Gippal and trade fantasies about marriage and Baralai would be angry when he heard them. He was always polite when he encountered the girls, but the look in his eyes would often scare them into silence."
"Not the conduct of a friend," Isaaru commented, wondering if Baralai was possessive. /As if I should care/.
"Whatever," Maroda shook his head. "I was just wondering about those two."
"Well, now you know." Isaaru smiled. He looked at Zetu. "When will he be back?"
"In a couple of days," Zetu answered.
"I wish I could be there," Maroda suddenly said to no one in particular. "They must be having a huge party in Luca right about now."
"So what?" Isaaru looked over at Maroda as though he had grown a second head. "I don't care about any sort of party."
"The people of Spira have reason to celebrate," Zetu shrugged. "I, for one, am glad that the three factions will learn to get along enough to unite Spira. I can see my son again in the Youth League." He glanced at Maroda. "It's also why you're able to be here."
"Yea," Maroda agreed, putting his arm around Isaaru's shoulder. "You couldn't have done anything without me, right?"
"Yea, right," Isaaru helplessly chuckled. "I'm merely glad that we are united. It's the only unity I care about." When Maroda hugged him, he returned the embrace.
Zetu sighed, "Even when I see my child again, I know that our unity will not be the only one I care about."
"I can understand that, Zetu. Especially since you were so close to Zanarkand as a Summoner yourself," Isaaru replied, also sighing. Zetu waved that away.
"No need to speak of that now. I think it's more important to realize that New Yevon itself must stay united." Zetu intently looked at Isaaru, who looked down.
"I can't help but be aware of that," Isaaru closed his eyes, absorbing the warmth of his younger brother. "I just would like to know what will happen to me."
"I think that's up to you, brother," Maroda responded, tightening his embrace.
"Perhaps," Isaaru whispered, he looked up at Zetu, who looked serenely at them. "Zetu, does Baralai know what I have done here?"
"I honestly don't know," Zetu answered. "No doubt, he will find out soon enough."