Chapter 4 - Who would want to live in a mahussive tree anyways?

Rikku's Thoughts - Moonflow Path - Present Time

I am a frickin' Saint. I really am.

Middle watch.

Hmph. It took all my will power not to accept the Ronso's offer with a great big Rikku hug.

Oh no!! I sound like Mr. Red!!! Not very good...

Catch up on sleep will I? Yeah right. Caffeine? Yes please!!

Auron's Journal - Outside Guadosalam - Present Time

I remember travelling through here with Lord Braska and a (at the time) drunk, but still almost tipsy Jecht.

Guadosalam - Ten Years Ago

"So we're here because?"

"We are here to visit Jyscal Guado. And to congratulate him in all he has done for Spira and the Guado, I have heard that his son has just left on his own pilgrimage, with his own mother as his Guardian. I believe she excels in white magic."

Jecht stopped, stumbling as he did so. "So this Jyscal guy is important right? Is he like one of those, Mister, Maister...?"

"Maester. Yes. So you should watch your tongue around him"

Braska chuckled. "Really Auron, there is really no need to be so harsh, even if Jecht does do something he may regret when the effect wears off, Maester Jyscal is very forgiving"

"Forgiving yes, but also a bit of a loony for choosing to live in a mahussive tree as opposed to a place like the rest of the Maestor people do"

"What was that Jecht?"

"Well, Auron, for your defect ears, I shall repeat myself, but be warned that if I was sober, I wouldn't so easily agree to telling you this, so remember that at this moment in time that I am drunk and that I also believe that you should be at least tipsy you tight-ass. What I said was, Mastor Jyscal may be a forgiving person, but maybe a little 'woo' in the head for deciding to live in a mahussive tree, instead of making a sane decision like the rest of us would in his position and live in a palace, castle..thing" Auron and Braska stood there dumbfounded and rather shocked, while Jecht just stood there, rotating his index finger in a circular motion round his ear.

"Well, its true ain't it?" Auron started to walk past him, motioning for Braska to follow him.

"Come my Lord, if we are lucky, we can get to the gates earlier and lose the drunkard on the way"

Braska chuckled as he followed the red-clad guardian.

Auron's Journal - Guadosalam - Present Time

I should've killed him. He would've been so much better off. Tidus as well most probably.

"We have been expecting you, Lady Yuna. Welcome to Guadosalam. This way, my lady. This way."

Lady Yuna looks rather shocked. It doesn't exactly surprise me that she is still unacquainted with the reception she will get at places like this. The Guado talks animatedly to us all, but I believe only Lady Yuna, Wakka are giving him their full attention. Lulu watched with clouded eyes, while Kimahri, and Tidus, are taking in their surroundings and the latter almost completely focused on the Lady herself.

Myself? Subconsciously, I have already secured three exits, and a way to restrain the old Guado in front of us, should the need to escape arise. Consciously, I am trying to figure out the enigma bouncing around Lady Yuna and the boy. I can vaguely hear the Guado introduce himself as Tromell, and beckon Yuna to follow him. It should have set off alarm bells, but instead, I sit back, keeping my eye on both the old man and the rest of the party. Rikku twirls round and bounces after them. Such immaturity. Too naïve for a world such as this.

I have still not worked out how I know this Bohemian.

The old Guado is eyeing my sword with distaste, and turns, his body language revealing he is intimidated by my presence. With good reason.

Rikku's Thoughts – Guadosalam – Present Time

Who would want to live in a mahussive tree? I wouldn't. I mean, if I was offered, I'd pretend I was slightly interested, then politely decline. The level of politeness I used of course, would depend on how bad I was PMS-ing...

This man scares me, he's the exact replica of the kinda guys my Ma told me to watch for and not to follow no matter how many treasures and puppies and sweets and kittens he offered you.

"Please, Maester Seymour wishes your presence at a banquet he holds this eve. All will be explained. Of course, your friends are also welcome."

Oh. Right. Well, at least we get time to buy nicer clothes, mine are starting to smell, and I actually wash mine. Unlike some certain Guardians I know. Okay, I have never, ever, seen either Tidus, Wakka, (Or Auron now that I think about it) wash their clothes, Yuna and Lulu do, they use magic. I just use the old fashion way of the good ol' river. And Kimahri...Well, lets not go into that...

I bounce around the group, catching a little bit of conversation here, a little gossip there, you know the usual.

"Stay on guard"

Hmmm dramatic.

"Why? This guy's just a priest, right? What's dangerous about him Auron?"

Hey, from this angle, you can see over Mr. Secretive's cowl!! And he's...smirking. And here I thought he was one of those people with frozen faces. Well, more or less frozen. I bet he looks really nice when he smiles.

"Those with power use that power. Maesters have power." Auron states darkly. The smirk has gone. What a tragic loss...

Tidus stopped. "Wait...You sure you don't have something against Yevon?"

He laughed. I honestly mean it. Mr. I'm-So-Great-And-Better-Than-You started to laugh.

It started as a sort of chuckling and he just threw his head back and laughed. But it wasn't a laugh like mine or Tidus' it was a fake laugh, and..it kind of scared me.

He also ruined my general image of him. Tall, dark, mysterious and handsome, when I first met him, sure it was scary as hell (I really thought I was going to die) But, I also seeked approval and praise from him. I know if he told anyone that they had done well, with maybe the exception of Kimahri, we would know that we really had done well, because he had recognised it. You can see it in Yunie's eyes. I want that approval. So very badly.

"I lived a long time in Zanarkand."

Auron came from Zanarkand?

Oh no. We're dining at Maester Seymour's house! He will know that I'm Al-Bhed instantly!! What'll I do? I can't go! But if I don't, they'll know something's up! But if I do, I'll be in the house of Seymour, a Maester of Yevon! I'll be found out! And Wakka will hate me! Oh cred!

Auron's Journal - Guadosalam - Present Time

"We shall stay the night here" I point in the general direction of the Lazy Sod Inn. Wakka, Tidus and Rikku storm ahead and talk to the Inn Keeper, Rikku only tags along because she believes she can barter with the receptionist and get us cheaper prices. I believe she forgets we only have to drop the name 'Lady Yuna' and we would get free rooms. But, ignorance is bliss. How very cliché.

Somehow, I feel that there is more to this dinner than Tromell leads us to believe. Just as there was more to that girl. My hand fumbles around in my coat pocket as I clasp a worn old piece of card.

Wait. I wonder.

I lift my head up to the three at the counter.

Maybe.

Arghhhh, I'm really not happy with that ending bit..Please tell me if its a bit, well, off. Pretty please? Oh, and any spelling mistakes, I'm prone to those and miss them even when I go back over it.

Anyway, cookies to all my lovely reviewers Ahem: clueless33396, goodwitch08, Jaymo and rr1963 and all my other readers!!

Oh, and after you review this (That's after, remember) Here are some really good stories that you should definitely check out, both by goodwitch08

1. Singing In The Shower: Tidus is feeling a bit smelly, but mistaking the running shower as a good thought from Yuna, and doesn't suspect that there's actually someone in the shower, and she's not exactly the happiest bunny when he runs in on her, and plans her revenge, which doesn't exactly go according to plan...thus, starting a cycle of unfortunate 'accidents'

2. A pencil, a car, and way too much chocolate: Pencils are sharp, lots of chocolate makes you hyper. And, that's about it. Its amazing what people can do with the most unlikely of characters, pairings and your everyday items of affection (yum...chocolate)