When did I update last? I think it was a while ago, so I'm sorry, started a new job... anyway. I enjoyed writing this chapter, so I hope I did well on it. I'm still trying to write a few chapters ahead before adding too much at once, y'know?
Oh I had a weird idea for a Tidus x Rikku fic... where Tidus is a cheating d-bag. From the perspective of Rikku and maybe Auron. Where later they can get together. I like the Rikku x Auron pairing as messed up as it is, and that's all because of the Soldier of Spira fic. Which, btw is an amazing AMAZING fic, but read at your own risk because it was never finished. Anyway, I played the end of the game recently to figure something out and saw how sweet Tidus and Yuna were and then my heart couldn't think of that idea anymore. But that was a few days ago so maybe I could ;P would anyone be interested in that?
Rated T, AU, I don't own FFX, Seymour x Yuna, ummm... what am I forgetting.. Spoilers! =)
A few days later, before I was even five minutes into class, a Guado guard had me pulled out.
"What's going on?"
"Seymour requests your presence for a meeting."
"A meeting? Isn't it imperative that I study and attend class?" He didn't reply. I studied his blue locks while we walked, as conversation wasn't exactly happening. They were a gorgeous color of blue, but almost… bark-like.
"Seymour, what's this about?"
"You are required at this morning's small council meeting, as my wife and Priestess in training." He would say no more on the matter, and opened his large hand toward the double doors that the Guado is now opening.
"Good morning everyone, good to see you all. High Priest Ronan?" I think that was Kinoc speaking, but he was far away and in the shadow of the room. I was still getting my seat next to Seymour. Maester Mika sits at the apex of the table.
The room… the room itself is exquisite. Golden pillars, golden beams, golden sunlight coming in through large windows… the table was of a rich brown wood, mostly square but gnarled in places. I wonder why that is, this being a very official council room?
"We have several issues to address this morning." And then, High Priest Ronan, old and gnarled himself, began to explain all of the political issues facing Bevelle today. He is most certainly human, but seems to lock his hair in a similar fashion to the Guado. Two long white locks hang on either side of his shoulders, and his curled nose almost makes me wonder if he is part Guado. However other than that he looks distinctly human. I do my best to listen to everything he brings up, but it is challenging.
"We are experiencing a lack of funds in the weapon development sector. Gun and sword production is down 27% due to this as well. Being that we are not expecting any immediate opposition, this decrease is affordable. Maester Kinoc, how do you rule?"
"Let it be. We have no shortage of weapons or soldiers."
"Maester Seymour?"
"Raise the taxes on the Guado 10%. Being recently evangelized, they will agree. If they cause any stir, present to them that they have been given a break due to their recent joining with the Church and will now be upheld with every other civilization's standards." He said it so flatly, like they're not his own people, like he's not half Guado, like he's… a politician. The Guado in the room shuffled a little, but nothing impolite. High Priest Ronan nodded.
"Any objections?" He asked, no one spoke.
"Maester Seymour, expecting a struggle in the near future?" Kinoc asked, loudly enough for us to hear, but not really addressing the group.
"I simply believe in having a full fledged military at all times, your grace." He responds politely. He whispers to me, "this is one of the reasons no one would dare attack Bevelle. We always play with a full deck of cards."
"Funny for a Maester who's neither Minister of Military Affairs or Treasurer to make that call." I faintly hear someone else whisper. Kinoc is Minister of Military Affairs, right? And leader of the Monks and Crusaders… who is Treasurer? I feel like I really should know.
"Next matter of business," High Priest Ronan booms, "what is the movement of the Al Bhed?" Right about now I feel like I should've been paying more attention. That list earlier which was hard to pay attention to is starting to be very very interesting.
"They have been eerily silent. This is unusual for their leader Cid; usually if he's up to something, he's pretty vocal about it." This came from a chocolate haired soldier-looking guy sitting even farther away from me than Kinoc. He's distinctly Bevellian, with the strong brow and jawline and brunette hair. Who is he? A warrior Monk? A Crusader? His attire doesn't give it away.
"Who speaks?" High Priest Ronan asks, looking about almost as if blind. Is he blind?
"Forgive me my grace, I have neglected to introduce my new Master of Intelligence. This is Ramsey, a 5th degree Warrior Monk who has shown an extreme talent for intelligence." He reminded me of Auron then, in the sense that he has "a talent for intelligence." I've learned enough to know that professional speak for "spy."
"He has not completed all of the degrees?"
"No, sir. He was pulled, many degrees ago, and trained specifically for his talent. He has been flying through the degrees ever since, and we expect him to be a 1st degree very soon." Kinoc sounded like a student begging for an extension on a project… or maybe I've been going to school too much.
"Very well." High Priest Ronan turned towards the window for a moment, scratching his chin, beneath a pointed white beard. "Show me this intelligence then. What else have you to offer?" An old Bevellian accent came through with that, and I'm 100% sure he is 100% human.
"The Al Bhed… have been lying low. Many forces have been retracting to 'Home,' their capitol. Previously they were in nearly every corner of Spira; from the Southern islands to Gagazet, in small numbers. This is not unusual for them, as they are known to show their face, even at personal risk, to show bravado…" Ramsey seemed to stumble on his words almost, as the rest of the congregation appeared impatient. This was history almost anyone knew. The Al Bhed have always tried to make their place in mainland Spira, not allowing anyone to forget or outcast them, even at personal risk. If you're going to spit on Al Bhed, you're going to spit on their faces, not behind their backs. "However it is uncommon for them to reach so far. We expect they are plotting something."
High Priest Ronan turned back to the gnarled table at this, and looked directly in Ramsey's direction. "I expect you shall know more by next week's meeting." He held his head high. I almost feel like there is an unspoken… threat, that he will lose his position otherwise.
For a little while, we talked of Priest ascension and how it is on the rise and how new Priests will be sent out to all the Temples, increasing spirit and faith in Yevon. I almost felt like I would be brought up, and so felt a little anxious, but otherwise it was boring.
"The matter of the disappearing Summoners?" Another man stood up then to speak.
"So far, a total of 7 Summoners are reported to us missing. They are mostly reported from the Macalania-Calm Lands areas, but one has been reported from Gagazet and one from Kilika. 7 is right around a concerning number, but not quite. There is an average of 5 Summoners that go 'missing' at any given time. Mostly they are Summoners who quit and went into hiding or their family and village protect them, or they have died. There are years…" I listened to this man speak on the history of disappearing Summoners, which years had high numbers, possibilities, etc. It is more of a report than anything else. It seems almost mandatory, maybe they discuss this every meeting?
"Shall we take any action, Maesters?" No one speaks. Seymour sort of coughs, quietly.
"Next time." He whispers to me. His eyes look much more knowing than concerned. I never learn the name or position of the man who speaks on the disappeared Summoners.
After a few more minor issues, we all pray, repeat a few ancient Yevon prayers, and take our leave one by one. I follow Seymour, naturally. We wait a little ways beyond the double doors.
"Well?"
"Well? What do you mean well?"
"Did you learn?" Does he have some personal task to speak in as few words as possible?
"I mean, sure? Was it necessary to pull me out of class?"
"Oh so necessary, my dear." He turns then, and puts a dagged sleeve around my shoulders and walks us forward. "For one thing, it's not uncommon for a Priest or Priestess in training to attend these," that made me feel better already, "but more importantly you are my wife. You have political importance independent of your Priestess-hood." This makes me vaguely uncomfortable, as it always does, but I know…
He turns to give me a puzzled look then.
"It has… been a while since there has really been a Maester's wife in Bevelle, truth be told." He started us up walking again, "Wen Kinoc never showed interest in marriage, to put it simply. Kelk Ronso supposedly has a wife, or life partner, or whatever they call them-" his disrespect for their culture annoys me, "back at Gagazet but that's all we know. Apparently their customs don't allow her to come to Bevelle, if she exists." If she exists? I find it hard to believe that Bevelle is unsure of that.
"Grand Maester Mika… he was actually married once, a long time ago. We can discuss that more at length another time, if you wish." He looks down at me then, with soft purple-grey eyes, his blue brows slightly lifted. His face actually stuns me for a moment, a rare gentleness, rare uncertainty… and it's gone after a moment, replaced by that arrogant confidence. "Maester Kelk is at Gagazet currently. He is head of the Treasury." He looks at me then, almost uncertain again, but not quite. "He's unaware of the 27% decrease." I look at him puzzled at this, "He's actually under the impression that we are at a 12% increase in funds. He's been sent to Gagazet to… well to celebrate. He's there, with representatives, to express to the Ronso how well he is doing, to raise morale in the Ronso community." We are stopped at this point, looking at each other, my face scrunched in confusion and a little bit of disgust. But what do I say?
"That's not right,"
"It is beneficial, dear."
"How will he feel when he finds out?"
He puts his arm around me again, and gestures toward the large hall of the Church, "He will be hurt, confused, as you are, but he will be grateful. He will be told how my decision saved his poor management of the funds, and how he could learn from such things, and he will be grateful. He will be grateful that I made a decision in his stead that he could learn from, and he will be grateful that his people have faith in him nonetheless."
He got a distant, cloudy look in his eyes at this… His mind is somewhere else, I know it. Planning the future… planning other people's futures… and being so conniving about it. How is he so sure that Maester Kelk will be appreciative? He sounds almost… disciplinary? 'He will be grateful…' or what?
I notice when he turns to look at me that I'm staring. He takes this moment to place a pointed finger under my chin and kiss my lips lightly. I don't object, or feel anything really, because what is something else to be confused about right now anyway?
"You're resilient, Yuna. You could be holding back vomit right now, after this morning, and I wouldn't be any the wiser. And vomiting would be an appropriate reaction to everything you've been through." He breaks my apathy, unwillingly, I chuckle slightly. "How would you like to be there when Kelk returns to Bevelle?" I think on this for a minute, bringing one hand under my chin.
Why would I want to be there? But I feel… cowardly if I refuse, I suppose. What if, what if I'm the only one there to say, this was wrong? I could stand up for him, if no one else does. There, I will do that. I will go, just so he has at least one person in his corner.
"I would, I would like that." Seymour sees the smirk in my eyes through the politeness, and smirks much more obviously in return. For a moment, I have that feeling again, of being naked in front of him, but I don't feel so embarrassed this time.
"I shall see you for dinner tonight. For now, I've arranged you to spend the rest of the day with your guardians. I knew you would like that." I do. Training actually sounds like the best thing in Spira right now. He takes my hand and places his lips softly on it, "Bevelle does need your gentleness, Lady Yuna. I'm glad you agreed to the apprenticeship," he whispers against my skin. It sends a tickling feeling up my spine. He's being very sweet today… has he killed someone again?
I lose myself a little bit in training, after that. With all the thought of killing and how necessary it is, fighting and training has almost been like a taboo subject for me personally. I haven't wanted to think about it any more than necessary. Technically I never wanted to. Technically, the path I chose isn't a violent one, except where absolutely necessary to heal and save lives. I look at my guardians, my friends. What's it like to choose a path that kills? To be a killer? A warrior?
I look at Auron, ex warrior monk, ex clergy, legendary guardian… It's one thing to choose to be a guardian, to choose to fight fiends and to fight Sin, those are monsters. What's it like to be a warrior monk, to know you'll be fighting other people? Have I really been this sheltered? I could ask him. I could ask, if evil people are evil, if evil people must be stopped. He would have a valuable opinion. Hell, they all would. Is that really a right-or-wrong kind of topic?
So, losing myself in training is a funny feeling. I don't mean thinking, like I'm doing now. I mean… not thinking, getting so involved with honing my skills, giving my mind a break and… training. Training to hurt. Training with an imaginary enemy who would be dead if he were real. This is why losing myself is a funny feeling. Losing myself in killing imaginary people, without thinking about it, without mourning every time, without asking if it's entirely necessary every time. Am I scared to be a warrior? How do others do it?
As I'm coming up from dismissing Ixion, beads of sweet on my forehead, I notice someone talking to Rikku, a little ways away from me. She's got her hands on her knees, panting from training as well, looking up at him. Is that… Ramsey?
I jerk my head back forward, deciding that maybe it's better if he doesn't notice me noticing, but I keep a green eye on him. That's definitely Ramsey. What's he talking to Rikku for?
Wait, does he think she has intel on the Al Bhed? No way. She's my guardian now. How could she even communicate with her father? Her face looks about as perplexed as I feel, so I know I'm right. She's standing up straight now, scratching the back of her head.
After Ramsey left, I waited a good half hour before approaching Rikku, and only when I knew we could talk relatively privately.
"Rikku, who was that talking to you?"
"Huh? Oh, beats me. Someone trying to get me in trouble for being Al Bhed?" Seymour had pulled all the major strings in Bevelle for Rikku, for me, but her lineage is on a need to know basis. The last thing we need is a press release trying to invalidate us.
She gazed dreamily at the blue sky, hands behind her head, but I saw her eyes flicker towards me for just one second…
"Yunie, I know you weren't raised Al Bhed," she puts gloved hands on my shoulders, the way she does, "but lemme tell you one thing… Family is very important to us." What's that supposed to mean? I know that… She joined me, doesn't that say how important family is to her?
Before I know it, Seymour is showing up to take me away again. It's never long enough, with them. I can't believe I took for granted the days we used to spend together from sun up to sun down, even if we were eating rabbit stew. I take one last long gaze at him…
When I look back at Seymour, he's got a disgusted expression, which quickly vanishes of course. Did he… see me looking at Tidus? Oh no… I inhale deeply.
"Isn't the sunset beautiful?" The sunset which so happens to be shining through golden blond locks. His face softens considerably. I exhale, inaudibly.
"You've such a love for simple things," that almost sounded condescending… "It's remarkable." He wraps thick sleeves around me, holding me from behind, while we watch the sunset. He inhales deeply then, sighing happily. Tidus continues to practice the same swing, slightly to the left of the setting sun.
He takes my hand and leads me through the bridges, back to the manor, as dusk begins to settle. The chorus of the city dies down to a low rumble, and the buildings seem to glow.
"Seymour," he lets out a hm as we walk, "how many people know that Rikku is Al Bhed?"
"Just you and I, and your guardians. Why do you ask?"
"What? How is that possible? At Macalania…"
"I'm the Priest at Macalania Temple, Yuna. It never left Macalania." I suppose that makes sense… but that's quite a big favor…
"Th-thank you…" A big favor indeed, but does he ever do big favors without some motive? I try to think of what it could be…
"No need to thank me, my dear. It's the least I could do after all. Are you troubled over something?"
"No, I just…" I'm not even 100% sure it was Ramsey that I saw but, even if it was, is it a good idea to tell him? "We went shopping the other day and I was just wondering how safe stuff like that is, I suppose."
"I see." He says flatly. "No need to worry." We continue walking in silence for a few minutes… "How was training today?"
"Wonderful- I mean, great!" Not wonderful, training to kill? Not the right word… "It was just what I needed." Well that's true anyway. Why do I feel so nervous around him now? And guilty?
"I'm glad to hear it." It feels like I'm playing games with him… keeping secrets, making small talk…
"How about you? How was your evening? More meetings?" I realize we are still holding hands, it's become a lot more natural now.
"Actually I had some family visit this evening."
We stop.
Family?