This chapter has been censored (not for sexual content).
Please see footnotes for details.

36: The Concert

As the Fangs climbed the stairs towards the stadium doors, the dull roar of the crowds grew. Gazna proudly led the Ronso contingent towards the exit. Almost every head was held high – every head except for Rikku's, who lagged behind them, dragging her feet. Even Tio, with his bobbling gait, was moving faster than her.

"Rikkma! Where the hell are ya? Get up here!" Jecht shouted from the front. "Our adorin' public's waitin'!"

"They're waiting for Tio!" Rikku called back irritably, wishing there was more than one exit from the stadium. She adjusted her goggles, wrapped her scarf around her face in typical Auron fashion, and hoped her father – if he was watching the games this year – wouldn't be paying too much attention. "This was such a bad idea," she muttered, before catching up with Jecht.

"You got stage fright or somethin'?" Jecht queried in an undertone.

"It's not that – " Rikku began, only to be cut off when Gazna threw open the stadium doors. The waiting crowd erupted into screams and cheers.

Jecht gave her a half-hearted shrug of apology and rushed forward. She tried to stick her tongue out at him as he left her behind, but only got a mouthful of fabric for her trouble. Here goes nothing…

"Fangs! Fangs! Fangs!"

The chant thundered through the throngs of admirers; evidently, the people of Luca loved underdog success stories. Gazna led them back towards Dock Four, doing his best to ignore the humans in his path. Most of his pack followed suit, although Zev stopped to sign autographs and pose for the more determined fans. The small Ronso seemed pleased by all of the attention. The same couldn't be said for Zamzi, who was unsuccessfully trying to shake off a delighted little girl dangling from his arm.

Tio, on the other hand, was being swarmed by reporters.

"What made you decide to join up with the Fangs?"

"Do you have anything to say to the Psyches after absolutely crushing them?"

"What was it like to play along creatures as fearsome as the Ronso?"

"Tell us! Are there plans to form an all-Hypello Blitzball team in the future?"

Tio blinked and scratched his head. Then he raised his hands and gyrated his hips in excitement, causing the small crowd around him to step back in sudden embarrassment. "Buh-buh-buh-buy a schweet rollolololl! Tio's schweet rolls are the bescht!"

Rikku sniggered. Pressing herself against the side of the building, as far away from the media fanfare as possible, she scanned the crowd for Jecht. She found him surrounded by a small crowd of eager reporters and curious spectators.

Jecht wasn't being accosted by fame in the same way as his teammates; instead, he had purposefully sought out the thickest pockets of admiring fans. "The secret to my success?" His loud laugh carried over the din of other conversations. "Well, I gotta admit – them sweet rolls really are somethin' else!"

She rolled her eyes and sighed in amusement.

Satisfied that the crowds seemed busy with the other Fangs, Rikku attempted to slip away. Maybe she could find Auron. Hopefully he'd taken her advice; the winnings would still be huge, even if he'd only made a small bet. Rubbing her hands together in anticipation, she let out a small cackle as she tiptoed away.

"Laughing about your victory?" Rikku froze at the chipper question. The bright light of a sphere camera flashed – blinding her – and a microphone nearly went up her nose, held by an eager, smiling, young reporter. "Seeing an Al Bhed in the middle of those Ronso Fangs was a real shock! Do you have anything to say about your decision to play for the newest team in the league?"

"No comment," Rikku muttered, pulling her scarf up and trying to pitch her voice several times lower than normal. It made her sound a bit like Paine. With a nasal twinge. And constipation. In other words, she sounded like Brother.

"Are you battling a chest cold? Or, just shy, Rikkma? Can you at least tell us if the rumors are true: are you The Champion of Djose's Guardian?"

"Eh-heh-heh," Rikku replied, desperately searching for an escape route. I wonder if using Tidus's elbow-and-dash flee technique would be bad form right now?

The reporter – and her crew – was tenacious, tailing her even as she tried to head for a quieter section of the docks.

"Why is an Al Bhed joining a Pilgrimage anyway? Have the Al Bhed begun to accept Yevon's teachings? Wasn't Lord Braska married to an Al Bhed woman? Are you Lord Braska's wife?"

The reporter stepped ahead of her, blocking her exit; panic set in. Rikku changed directions and tried to reach Jecht. Hopefully, the reporter would find him more interesting.

"Jecht! A little help!" she called out over the crowd.

He looked at her, furrowed his brows, and waved her off.

"So you do know Sir Jecht! Can we speak to Summoner Braska too?"

Gritting her teeth, she pushed through the sea of human flesh until she reached Jecht's side. She pinched his elbow, ignored his yelp, and yanked him away from his starry-eyed female fans. "They're out for blood!" she whispered, jerking her head towards the camera crew behind her.

"Whaddaya want me to do about it?" Jecht asked, pointing towards his own. "Just ham it up! That's what we're here for, right?"

"I don't think this is what Braska meant! I just want to get away!" The microphone was shoved in her face again and she flinched back before pushing Jecht in its path. "Get me out of this!"

"Sir Jecht! How do you know Rikkma?"

Regaining his balance, Jecht directed a meltingly warm smile at the female reporter and flexed his biceps. "Now, ain't that just cruel? A pretty girl like you not botherin' to gimmie her name before askin' after someone else?"

Several women swooned. Rikku rolled her eyes. At least the attention was off her for the moment, thank machina.

"Oh!" The reporter blushed. "It's Shalandra. And I must say it's a pleasure to meet one of the Ronso Fang's best kept secrets!"

Jecht's own reporting crew decided to push back. The woman leading it elbowed her way forward, until she was next to Shalandra. "Yes, it is a pleasure, isn't it? Sir Jecht, could you tell us more about that move you used? Did it have a name?"

Jecht opened his mouth, but the first reporter interrupted. "Well, you'll just have to wait for a better moment to ask. Sir Jecht was just about to tell us all about that."

Sensing a catfight brewing, Jecht raised his arms. "Ladies, ladies. No need to argue!" He laughed heartily and threw his arms around both reporters. Quietly, Rikku slipped away, pleased that her plan had worked. Score one for Secret Agent Rikku!

"Guardian?" Jecht asked, before laughing again. "Yeah, I'm a Blitzin' star, but ya know, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. I'm a Guardian first, so this is gonna be our last game with the Fangs. We'll be movin' on soon, doin' that whole Pilgrimage thing."

"We?" they repeated.

Rikku froze mid-sneak. Jecht, what are you doing?

"So your pretty companion is a Guardian as well!" Definitely going for the jugular, those reporters. "This is unprecedented – an Al Bhed supporting Yevon's teachings!"

Murmurs rippled through the audience.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself now, Lady Rikkma?"

Rikku flailed a bit, horrified, as the cameramen herded her back towards Jecht's side.

" 'ey! Rikkma… uh…" Jecht fumbled, looking apologetic.

Both of the reporters – Sphere Clones One and Two, Rikku decided to call them – were on them like predators scenting blood in the water.

"Can we expect an announcement concerning the Al Bhed from Bevelle soon?"

"Tell us about your battle on the coast! How did you manage to fight Sin without the Final Aeon?"

"When did you convert? Are you one of the faithful from Lord Braska's successful missionary expedition?"

"Sir Jecht, how does it feel to be travelling with an Al Bhed? Do you use machina too?"

Rikku tried to escape once again and Jecht rubbed the back of his head, but the questions kept coming, rapid-fire. Something had to give, and that something was Jecht.

"She ain't an Al Bhed! It's a disguise!" he shouted.

Shocked silence fell. The only sound that carried was that of a tiny dying animal. Rikku clapped a hand over her mouth when she realized it was coming from her.

"What?" Sphere Clone Two asked in disbelief.

"A disguise? From what?" Sphere Clone One questioned, before continuing to grill her. "And why as an Al Bhed? Isn't that the worst possible disguise you could choose?"

Rikku turned and stared at Jecht with a clear message on her face. Fix this or I'll hurt you!

Jecht seemed to understand – either that, or he was imagining what Auron would do to him once the impromptu press conference ended.

"Rikkma's ah… ah… she's a pop star! Don't want no press on the Pilgrimage though, so she dyed her hair and put on those clothes!"

"Pop star?" Clone One said blankly. "We've never heard of any pop stars named Rikkma."

"I didn't realize there was a thriving entertainment industry outside of Luca!" Clone Two gushed. "Are they accepting job applications?"

As the cameras – and the gazes of the surrounding crowd – turned towards her, Rikku felt herself sweating. Really, with friends like Jecht, she might as well just jump off the pier right now –

"Naw," Jecht said. "She's this… singer chick," he continued. "Big in my hometown! People love her!"

Apparently he was going to take this blitzball and run with it. Rikku only wished she wasn't playing the part of the ball.

Clone One looked skeptical. "Really? Then why won't she say a word to the camera?"

Rikku threw a hand over her face – partly to block out the blinding light but also to hide her eyeballs – and shook her head. At least her goggles were being helpful, darkly tinted as they were.

"It's for real," Jecht said firmly, crossing his arms. "She's just bein' a little shy right now. Ain'tcha Rikkma? Trust me, she got a voice that could hypnotise ya if she used it," he added with a smirk.

Several members of the audience wolf-whistled, and Rikku peeked between her fingers to glare at Jecht in exasperation.

"Well then, how about a victory concert?" Clone Two – the chipper one – clapped her hands together. "This will be perfect! The Yocun Revivalists are playing in the stadium soon to honor both Lord Braska and the tournament season start! I'm sure they'd be pleased to have you perform as their opening act!"

As if in response, the crowd around them whistled and shouted in approval.

"Yes!" Clone One said. "You both helped save Luca, and even managed to become the surprise darlings of Blitzball! It's a romantic journey to save the world from Sin! Give the people what they want!"

Rikku stomped her foot. Enough is enough! "I can't do it! I'm not a pop star!" It was the honest truth; without Lenne providing the talent, she was worse than "terrible."

"But, there were rumors that your singing was instrumental in calming Sin during the attack!"

Jecht, of course, helped things along by nodding wisely. Rikku resolved to put a live Lucan crab into his pack, preferably in the section where he stored his clean underwear.

Clone One raised an eyebrow. "So it's a lie? You're an Al Bhed? You really can't sing?"

"Hey!" That was a thrown gauntlet if she'd ever heard one. Rikku planted her hands on her hips. "Take that back!"

Clone One smirked. "Prove us wrong!"

"Return to the arena and show us your talent! Luca has its eyes on you, Rikkma!"

"Sing for us!" Number Two said, gesturing to the crowd to take up the call.

They didn't disappoint. "Concert! Concert!"

As the chant spread, Rikku hung her head. Damn Spira and its borderline obsessive love for large musical extravaganzas. "Fine," she gritted out. "I'll have to change first. Don't expect anything great, though," she added, shooting a nasty look towards Jecht. "He and I come from a really tiny village with no taste."

Still, the crowd continued to cheer. What did I step into this time?

.x.x.x.

"So, why am I here again?" Jecht sat on the locker room bench, looking bored. "You don't need me to suit up for this party, do ya?"

"You're here because this is all your fault!" Rikku paced back and forth, doing her best to wear down the floor tiles. "Bevelle's going to be hounding us as it is! And now you want to rub it in their faces with a concert? What the heck were you thinking?"

He shrugged and wiggled his fingers at her. "Just do your magic thing. 'Sides, if I'm right, this will help, huh? You sing a little song, do a little dance, get the people to love ya and you'll get them Yevonites off your back." He hit his own chest with a fist. "I'm the Blitzer already. You gotta be somethin' else. Somethin' besides that Al Bhed. Give 'em a show they won't forget!"

Rikku pulled her braids. It pained her to admit it, but Jecht was right in a way. This was exactly what Braska had wanted them to do; make a good impression in Luca, then leave quickly. Well, Rikku amended, maybe not exactly.

Auron was going to be apoplectic. Good thing he'd be stuck in the VIP box with Braska until the concert was over.

More time to watch my life flash before my eyes. At least Jecht will die first.

"Shame you gotta use that fake name, though," Jecht said. "Don't seem right, letting some made-up personality take all your credit."

She snorted. "Lenne's the one who's going to be taking all the credit."

Jecht looked confused.

"The Songstress," she elaborated. "She's… kinda dead, but her memories are really, really active in my dressphere."

"Kinda dead?" Jecht repeated faintly. "Okay, freaky." Then he shrugged again. "Whatever. Do ya think she's gonna change your appearance again? Dunno how we'd explain that one away," he added. "You two don't look a thing alike."

"I have no idea," Rikku admitted. "I don't even know what I'm gonna do out there! I use my dresspheres for battle! What am I supposed to do, cast a sleep spell on the arena and sneak out?"

Jecht looked at the sphere screen, which was now displaying the prepared stage. Apparently the two announcers were eagerly relaying the lineup change. "Relax," he told her absently. "You'll be fine, Blondie, ya always are."

"You're the one who got me into this. You should go with me – be a stage dancer and embarrass yourself, too."

Jecht perked up. "For real? You'd let me out there?" There was entirely too much hope in his expression.

Rikku took great relish in squashing it. "Not in a million years. Not even if you were the last backup dancer in Spira."

Jecht wilted. "Dang. Don't get a man's hopes up like that!" Turning his attention back to the screen, he frowned. "It's time. You better get your game on, Rikku."

Rikku's heart pounded. She looked down at her belt, fingering the Songstress sphere. "Lenne, what the heck am I doing? How am I gonna get out of this one?"

The sphere glowed faintly against her fingertips, but gave no answers.

"Auron's gonna kill us," she stated for the record, then activated the sphere. The magic settled around her, along with a burgeoning sense of confidence. She strode over to a mirror and studied her reflection. A nearly neon orange vest and short purple skirt met her sight. "Well, that answers that question," Rikku said, fluffing her hair. "I'm still me." She held out her gloved hands and frowned. "Actually, I'm even more me than I usually am in this costume."

Jecht raised an eyebrow. "Ain't that a good thing?"

Rikku looked at herself again. Her hair was the same floppy blonde mess beneath the purple bandana as before. Her eyes were unmistakably green. "I still look like an Al Bhed," she told the mirror. "This is going to be like declaring war on Bevelle, you know." Then she stepped back and forth in a quick dance move and lifted one shoulder. "Like it or not, at least they'll be listening." She grinned. "Maybe this isn't such a bad idea."

Jecht stood and moved towards the arena's entrance. Now that the water had been drained, the door opened onto steps.

It didn't seem as if the crowd had stopped cheering. Don't they need to breathe?

"Go out there an' kill it." Jecht gave her an encouraging fistbump.

"Of course," Rikku replied, lifting her chin. She squared her shoulders and sashayed up the steps.

The crowd fell silent as she made her way to the lone microphone smack dab in center stage; she pointedly avoided glancing at the luxury suite.

Grabbing the mic from its stand, she lowered it to her abdomen, bowed her head, and promptly panicked. What am I doing? She tried to think of a song but drew a blank; Rikku felt alone and horribly exposed. Sure, boosted confidence was part and parcel of the whole dressphere, but she'd never simply performed as a Songstress. She stood before the crowd feeling mostly like herself – awkward and unprepared for the multitude of eyes directed towards her.

The silence drew out and the magic pooled around her feet restlessly. Whispers passed through the crowd as the seconds ticked by.

Everyone wanted her to deliver some sort of mystery-revealing performance. A few Al Bhed eyed her with open confusion, clearly trying to decide whether she was one of them. The more traditionally dressed northern islanders and the devoutly religious glared, their looks tending towards open hostility. The native Lucans and people of the smaller southern villages were smiling in anticipation. And the crusaders scattered throughout the stadium looked towards her expectantly, as though she had some sort of message to deliver.

Lenne! Rikku thought desperately, one hand straying to her belt. I don't know what to do! Help!

Power flared around Rikku's feet, and the crowd gasped. The light dimmed into a set of more familiar rotating circles; base runes for the magics the Songstress could call upon. Each always started with a dance. Automatically, Rikku began to step along the sigils, chimes rising with each tap of her foot. She moved more quickly, and the chimes turned into harmonizing chords – the beginning of a tune.

Lenne's hand guided her own. She lifted the microphone.

Forget about the public, Lenne's voice echoed in her head. Forget about their expectations and desires. You must sing about what you know, what you feel. Sing for the people you love, and all will be well.

Rikku took a deep breath. She could do this. She shut her eyes to block out the crowd and opened her mouth. "For my entire life, I've always tried to make the best of myself…"

The magic carried her; her feet found the pattern of the dance as she sang. A gasp rippled through the crowd and bursts of color exploded behind her eyelids – the dressphere was working its magic, triggering a spectacular light show for the audience.

"Maybe I was born in the wrong time, splitting my life in half..." Rikku pushed everything into her song: her confusion and anger, hope and despair, feelings of aimless drifting and newfound belonging. "Let me have the future! Now that I know what I want!"

Opening her eyes, she realized the magic had conjured actual images that moved in time with the music. Figures flitted across the stage as she sang. They were fuzzy and indistinct, made more of light than true pictures, but she recognized them regardless.

" – everything's happening just like I wanted – "

Brother, so young, chased a teenaged Keyakku; they were laughing. Her father leaned over to kiss her mother. Gippal stood on one leg and grinned at her. Rikku tore her eyes away and continued to sing.

"Seeing my past to say goodbye!"

Tidus turned away from her and dove into an invisible ocean. Lulu reached out, offering to teach her. Wakka was on her other side, dribbling a blitzball. Rikku's breath caught, but she couldn't end the spell – she had to keep singing.

"Good fortune caught me by surprise…"

Auron was there, older and more rugged, flipping over the snowmobile. She looked away, still continuing her song, and saw Kimahri, with his broken horn and his crossed arms, nodding at her in acceptance. Yuna danced in her summoner's robes, staff twirling. Behind, Paine gifted her with a rare smile.

The music swelled, and the audience was entranced, their eyes locked on the summoned figures. A small chill of fear rolled through her – what did they see in her memories? But the spell continued to pull words out of her, beyond her control.

"Nothing prepared me for our meeting!" And now Jecht was there, rubbing the back of his head and laughing. Braska looked over his shoulder at her, his expression wistful. And Auron, young Auron, placed his hands on her back and leaned forward. "I'd regret it, if it wasn't for you..." she finished gently.

The images began to fade, and Rikku slowed her dance, allowing the song to wind gracefully towards its close.

A clogged feeling set up camp in her throat, and her heart was racing; she couldn't tell if she wanted to scream or cry. Having her life laid bare like that – and for what, a performance? Sure, it was great to see her friends – and sweet machina, how she missed them – but they were her memories. She hadn't meant to share them!

Lenne, what was that? she asked, but Lenne didn't respond.

The arena was completely silent, despite being filled with people; the only sound Rikku heard was that of her own labored breath. She bowed her head in disappointment and frustration – mostly at herself. I gave it everything I had… and it still wasn't good enough?

A faint sound intruded – a lone clap. It was quickly followed by another, and another, until the stadium was filled with the sound of applause.

Rikku jerked her head up and blinked a few times before smiling shyly. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.

"ENCORE!"

Her smile faltered. "Umm, thank you?" Feedback reverberated across the stadium. She winced and backed away towards the stairs. "Really, thanks, but I can't – "

The crowd cried out in disappointment and she froze. Lenne tugged her back into place.

Lenne! I have nothing left to sing about! she thought, fingering her microphone.

There's always another song to write about love, Lenne whispered in amusement.

Rikku's annoyance boiled into anger. Wasn't it enough that she'd sung her life story out tonight? Now, Lenne wanted her to sing about Auron? Growling, she stomped her foot.

A magical pattern exploded out of the ground. Oh no. She picked up the pace – more tones sounded as her feet walked the path to a much more upbeat tune.

Lenne laughed. Use that frustration!

Rikku's pace quickened. A lively melody played, ringing chimes sounding over a bass line as she danced.

Might as well go for it, Rikku decided, and thought of Auron as she opened her mouth. "Hey baby, when I see you, I get fired up, like you should!" If she wasn't so busy dancing, Rikku might have smirked. Well, if he hadn't known this song was dedicated to him, he would in short order.

"There's something about you that makes me feel real good," she crooned. "I'll be honest with you – it's because of that body you bring. You know you make me feel just like I wanna sing!" She struck a seductive pose, running a hand down her side. "I want you!"

The crowd went wild; many of the women and even a few of the men copied her movements.

"Maybe I love you!" She twirled, magic swirling around her and into the air. Now some people in the audience were staring at each other. Lenne laughed again and Rikku smiled. Well, that's one way to channel the Songstress magic, I guess!

Delighted, Rikku lowered her microphone and put more energy into her steps, dancing until the volume of the music swelled to fill the stadium. Satisfied that she'd now captured the entire audience, she began to sing again.

"Honey, when you're here with me, I'm happy, that's a fact!" She licked her lips and wriggled suggestively. "Hard to believe, really hard to believe – the way you make me act!"

A few of the more ambitious couples in the crowd were kissing now. Others were dancing in ways that definitely would have been outlawed in Bevelle. Even some of the northerners had shed their excess robes and loosened up.

"I'll be honest here – I want you so bad I act like a fool!" Rikku winked, and a raucous cheer rose from the audience members who weren't otherwise engaged. "There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do, just to get you!" She leaned back with a lascivious roll of her hips.

"I want you! I know I love you!" She spun and laughed, taking in the boisterous crowd as her feet moved even more quickly. Taking a deep breath, Rikku finally let her eyes travel to the one spot she'd been avoiding all evening.

"Whoa-oh!" Her hand went up, gesturing directly to the V.I.P. box.

Braska had an amused smile on his face, lounging in his chair and enjoying the show. He didn't seem to be nearly as affected as the rest of her public – little wonder, considering his mastery of magic and partiality to her subject matter. Auron, on the hand, was gripping the railing while he stared at her.

She laughed at the look on his face and blew him a kiss. "Can you feel it, too?"

The crowd saw the motion and went wild. Rikku had to direct her attention back to her dance, retracing her steps across the stage. Still, she looked over her shoulder at Auron. "I really love you…"

The people were on their feet, stomping and swaying, some in the process of disrobing and many more desperately making out. The more rational part of Rikku's mind was warning her of the advantage of a timely exit – at least before the spell wore off, and the more religious contingents of the audience realized just what they'd done.

Rikku let her voice rise in volume as she neared the exit. She spun one more time and bowed as she sang. "I want you!" Then, with one last step, she conjured an explosion of light and dove for the stairs. The last notes of the song lingered.

Jecht caught her as she slammed the door to the cabin below and deactivated her dressphere.

"Whoa!" she gasped, wiping sweat from her brow. "That went really well! But I think we're gonna have to jet before they get us again. I may have pushed it too far with that last song…"

Jecht released her slowly, his brows furrowed. "Rikku…"

Rikku felt a pang of concern. "Hey? Are you alright?" A little more worried, she stepped away from him. "Don't tell me my last song got you too?"

He shook his head at her. "It was your first song," he told her, even as she dragged him away from the changing rooms. "What was that?"

The worry turned into full-blown concern. Did he see? Did he see everything? "Let's not do this here," she hedged as they hurried out into the afternoon sunlight. "Where's the Pualu again?"

"Dock Two," Jecht reminded her. "An' you ain't gettin' outta this so easy," he added, jogging after her.

They managed to dodge most of the crowds en route to the ship, mostly because the concert was still ongoing. And also maybe just a little bit because the people they did run into were too busy necking.

Rikku wasn't sure how the poor Yocun Revivalists could follow up her act without magic of their own, but judging from the loud strains of music echoing out of the arena, they were giving it their best try.

"There it is!" Rikku said in relief as they neared the water, spotting the name of their ship painted in bold letters across the hull of a large boat.

The vessel was broad, with royal blue sails and men and women working hard on the deck, undistracted by the pleasures being offered in the city. Compared to the paucity of their travel accommodations before, it looked downright luxurious – though nothing really could compare to their one-night stay in the Glitzball. Still, it seemed Auron had really loosened the pursestrings for this portion of the journey.

"Two Guardians from summoner Braska's party, reporting for duty," Rikku chirped at the sailor standing on the gangway. Thankfully, it seemed he hadn't watched Luca's sphere news; he gave no indication of recognizing her.

"Very good! Your things are below in cabin three," he replied, stepping aside and granting them access.

Rikku wasted no time scrambling towards the underbelly of the ship. "One room," she mused. "I guess Auron can only get so generous after all."

She pushed open the door and strode in. Two bunk beds, comfortably sized, lined the walls, and a port hole displayed the sea outside. A small rug with a coffee table was bolted to the floor between the beds, and someone – most likely Auron – had already distributed their equipment around the room. There were even a few potted plants spread around, giving it the appearance of a comfortable hotel suite rather than a cramped ship's cabin.

Jecht shut the door behind them, leaned back against it with a thump, and crossed his arms. "Tell me 'bout that song you sang," he said straightaway.

Rikku pulled her goggles off of her head and let them drop around her neck. She rubbed her eyes. "What did you see?"

There was a pause, and then Jecht unfolded his arms. "I saw my wife," he finally admitted. "And my boy, Tidus." Then he laughed shortly and shook his head. "I even saw my daddy, teachin' me how to blitz. He's been dead an' gone for years now." He looked at her, frowning. "How could you bring all them up there on the stage like that? I reckon you don't even know half the people I saw. Like my teammates from Zanarkand." Then he dropped his head again, his voice suspiciously thick. "Ah, damn. I sure miss 'em all. Look what you did, Blondie."

Rikku wandered towards the porthole and peered outside, pretending not to hear his sniffles. She turned over what Jecht had said in her mind. So they didn't see my memories – they saw their own instead. She studied the horizon and did her best to afford her friend some privacy.

Jecht eventually quieted down, and Rikku felt brave enough to speak. "I'm sorry if I hurt you," she offered. "I didn't know it would do that."

"Naw," Jecht managed. She heard his footsteps coming nearer. "Was a good kinda hurt." Unexpectedly, he pulled her into a bear hug. "Thanks," he mumbled gruffly. "Felt like I got to see 'em all again for a minute there. Little piece o' my Zanarkand to take along with me here."

Maybe Jecht's idea wasn't a total fiasco after all, Rikku thought.

He pushed her away, grinning. "Now about that other song…" He whistled. "I thought you didn't wanna piss them Yevonites off?"

Rikku felt her entire body turning red. "It was just supposed to be for Auron!" she choked out. "I didn't know it was gonna do… that." She drooped, ashamed. "I'm never going to be able to show my face in Luca again, am I?"

"Probably not. But that don't matter, you'll be too busy scorin' with Auron to care 'bout Blitzball anyhow," Jecht laughed, slapping her on the back. "You two gonna go at it again tonight? Maybe I need to tell Braska to rent another cabin, eh?"

And just when she thought she couldn't get any more embarrassed. "Thanks a lot, Jecht." She grabbed her bag, pretending to fumble with something in it. "Just go away and do something else, will you?" she squeaked. "In fact, go find Gazna and tell him about us leaving. It's not nice to announce it to the reporters instead of your captain, right?"

Jecht continued to laugh at her, though she did hear him opening the door. "Alright, alright. I'll let you stew in your own juices 'til Auron and Braska get back. That's gonna be a fun conversation to listen in on!"

"Remember you started it first with those reporters!" Rikku shot back.

Jecht's laughter cut off abruptly. "Uh. Ya think you could, I dunno, maybe butter the Stiff up a little while I'm out?" he asked her with a hint of apprehension.

"Sure," she replied cheerfully. "I'll set the schedule for your next sword practice with him, too! Buh-bye!"

Jecht cringed. She waved at him. He shut the door and fled.

Looking around, she tossed herself onto the bunked bed next to Auron's pack. Sure, he'd put her stuff on the top bunk, but she was too tired to climb. He'd just have to suck it up or squish in next to her.

Part of her worried about exactly what Jecht had voiced: what would Auron's – and Braska's for that matter – reaction be to her performance? What memories had her first song shown them?

More importantly, what would Auron make out of her second song? The look on his face had been mixed – angry, which was to be expected – but, there'd also been something darker and challenging there.

Just thinking about it brought the flush back to her face in full force.

Yet, despite her anxiety and nervous desire, one final thought floated to the forefront of her mind as she snuggled into the luxuriously soft sheets. At least, after all that effort, I'll be able to enjoy being rich again…

Soon the only sound filling the cabin was that of Rikku's snores.

I had to censor this chapter because song lyrics – even snippets – aren't allowed to be quoted here. I replaced the song text with approximations, but Rikku's songs are supposed to be:

"Thursday's Child" by David Bowie
"I Feel for You" by Prince

This is important, because this chapter was an unexpected, unplanned tangent I wrote into the story after the deaths of David Bowie, Prince and Alan Rickman. While I'm no real fan of songfic, taking away the original lyrics misses the entire point of the chapter because it no longer becomes a tribute to those specific artists.

Every single chapter in this story has been edited, updated and fixed for plot holes, grammar, logic inconsistencies, and in some cases, has had completely new dialogue / jokes added into the story. If you've been impatiently waiting for an update, this was the main reason why things slowed down. If you're still impatiently waiting for an update, re-reading the story is worth your time now. :-)