Meet and Greet (Auric)

[sirjecht]

There was a cool breeze coming from the sea surrounding the blitzball stadium in Luca. A gentle heat was falling from the skies, making the two combine into an almost perfect day. That is, a perfect day to play some blitzball. So that is what most people had decided to do on this fine day. Not to mention there wasn't much else to do for fun around these parts. Though, there was one major difference with the blitzball that was being played right now to any other day.

The crowd went wild as Jecht, a temporary substitute blitzball player, had gotten the ball and swam quickly towards the opposing team's goal. Kicking the ball and knocking back one player, he punched the return towards another of the defenders. Swimming upwards, Jecht spun and when he came out of the spin kicked the ball into the goal, scoring the last goal of the game.

Now that the game was over, Jecht went to the locker room and got into his regular clothes. As he left the locker room, he wasn't surprised when some newly made fans wanted to talk to him and such. Jecht just grinned, signed some stuff, and went off since there weren't to many people there. Unlike in Zanarkand, Jecht wasn't the most popular blitzball player in this world. It takes time to rise to the top, and Jecht knew that. Unfortunately, he wasn't going to be playing blitzball enough to become the best here. He just substituted this once, since he was here and the team would have been in a big jam without him. After all, it was the right thing to do, and he would expect any other decent person to do so as well.

"At least I'm still known as a legendary guardian," Jecht stated to himself, satisfied with that for now. The reason he brought that up was because he had heard some people wondering if it was him or not. Honestly, Jecht was happier with that title then if he would be with being the greatest blitzball player. Being a guardian meant he had accomplished and changed something in this world.

"Yeah, I managed to become a monster for a while," though, Jecht wasn't going to let him be sucked into those thoughts as he walked a bit away from the stadium and just stood in front of the vendors. While there wasn't anything he wanted for the moment, he was just looking at the stadium. There was a lot to think about, especially his future here. While he imagined it would do a lot with the protection of what remained of Spira with Yuna.

"I just pray to whatever god is out there, I don't become Sin again," which would possibly be the worst thing that could happen to the man.

[Auric]

Meet and Greet
and getting acquainted

You know, I'd never really had a chance to visit Luca. Well, yeah, I'd been there before but it hardly counts when you're doing it strictly for business and said business was conducted on the docks. I'd never actually had the chance to go and see a game of blitzball which had always sounded interesting every time I heard someone from Spira talk about it. An important piece of culture, now that I thought about it... it was the main sport they all had to pass the time... either as an athlete or a spectator. I had to say, coming there when I did? I was quite lucky. I'd never heard of Jecht beyond the drooling reverence as some great guardian who'd helped one High Summoner Braska in defeating "Sin". Back then? I didn't even know what Sin was.

---

It would surprise you how much what he knew could relate to Sin. Replace that same word with "Ragnarok" and you pretty much had the doomsday story down for anyone who came of Gran Pulse or Cocoon. It's not something that too many would really venture to know about and it hardly mattered to the other realms. After all, to these many realms magic was a part of every day life so much so that it was normal. But if you looked at the notes? You'd know that those of Cocoon and Pulse would have much to be aware of.... the ability to cast magic was that of monsters and l'Cie alone. And if someone could cast magic and they were a Pulsian l'Cie? The potential to become something ever more frightening was possible.

Ragnarok. The monster that had cracked Cocoon's shell... the bringer of destruction -- its sole purpose was to destroy fal'Cie. With the death of fal'Cie, the end of Cocoon... and with the deaths of so many all at once, the return of the maker. When he thought about it all it did make sense... but in the end it might have been that very thing that shattered the walls of reality for their particular realm. That question would be answered another day.... for today's question hadn't yet even left his lips. Auric's visit here was one for both research and for recreation. To have seen such a good game with the legendary Jecht playing at the stadium as a substitute player? A rare treat.

If only he had more time himself, he'd consider giving the sport a go.... instead? Maybe he might buy a team out -- see what money could be made or what entertainment could be shared. Who knew? That would take a little bit of thought. Still, as he left the stadium with a great deal many of the crowd, it was Jecht that caught his attention; signing autographs no doubt from many who thought him both as an amazing player and as the famous guardian. He imagined popularity had its own struggles. He was happy to passively observe the man until it seemed he finally had the moment to himself. And so, Auric in his usual attire casually approached from behind, stopping at the man's side like one does an old friend.

"That's strange. I never thought Spirans believed in gods."

[sirjecht]

Since he hadn't been doing anything very important for this past while, Jecht had gotten himself stuck thinking about the past again. Which was probably one of the reasons he didn't notice this guy show up right next to him without any warning. While Jecht didn't feel any ill feelings coming from this man, he didn't feel that put off about him just showing up there. Then again, if he wanted to attack Jecht, there would have been plenty of time to do so while Jecht was reminiscing by himself. Jecht had started to wonder what he was doing there when he stated something.

"With good reason too," Jecht started with a small laugh, responding to the man's statement about the gods, "If you knew what the 'god' we had put us through, you'd probably not be so into them either." After all, it would seem that the whole Yevon religion was based around keeping Sin alive. If it wasn't for his son and his friends, Jecht was afraid that the cycle of death would have continued forever. He also would have to remember they fayth, as they were a big reason that they were able to defeat Sin.

"Though, sometimes you just have to believe in something, ya know?" he said this even though he didn't exactly believe in anything himself. Really, he just hoped that everything would be fine, and with his powers he didn't think things would go horribly wrong. Though, he also knew that you couldn't do things by your self. That is why he had Auron with him to defend Braska.

After thinking about it for a second, Jecht didn't exactly know why he followed up with this random stranger. It might be the fact he was just being so casual in the way he walked up and stated what he said. Whatever it may be, Jecht didn't mind talking to someone for the moment.

"I'm Jecht, and you are?" Jecht asked to the stranger who had just showed up. This might have been what he wanted to start with, but that was in the past. Hopefully, Jecht would figure out what this guy wanted with him.

[Auric]

Ahh, reminiscence. It was a dangerous thing; made you miss the past and feel incredibly shitty when there were happier times... other times it made you wish you would have done more. You couldn't blame someone for having a little regret... not everyone was capable of eternal optimism. But perhaps the most dangerous part of reminiscing is the more immediate one; to be lost in thought so much so that your mind wasn't thinking at all as to what was happening in the real world. Naturally, there was no need for over-caution but those who were on guard duty tended to slack off when their mind was lacking that bit of alertness. And it was true; if Auric truly intended any harm, he'd have attacked while Jecht was busy entertaining his train of thought.

"Heh. You'd be surprised what kind of madness people are capable of." Auric replied in regard to their discussion about gods. Fal'cie were seen as gods and he himself had witnessed people of Cocoon, drunk on their own fear, condemn their own people. Still, it wasn't that he blamed Cocoon personally but it made associating himself with them at all somewhat awkward. But then of course, Jecht his wily charms and words of wisdom decided to get all biblical and say something about finding something to believe in. In truth it made sense and Auric himself followed much the same philosophy. "Yup. It's usually a lot better when you believe in something simple. Like people or... countries, maybe even an ideal or two." he agreed, nodding his head as he crossed his arms, looking skyward in thought.

It was a nice sentiment.

And more than anything he was glad to see another person who wasn't just moping around in pointless regret. His attention was snapped back to reality when Jecht introduced himself -- and Auric, in a normal social environment wasn't keen on keeping the man at a disadvantage. "I'm Auric." he returned immediately as he offered his hand in universal greeting. "Actually, sounds like you're the man I'm supposed to talk to. You... mentioned Sin before? You can... become Sin? Sorry. This is a new idea to me but what exactly is Sin?" he asked as he apologized for being a bit forward. Naturally he wanted to hear a full story... without having to listen to a whole bunch of religious crap that had nothing to do with his question.

It was kind of a filthy habit for certain Spirans.

[sirjecht]

From the conversation with this man, it would appear that this man knew far too well what he was talking about. That may not have been a good thing, but at least they could relate to each other in some way. Not that Jecht really needed to relate to a random stranger in the first place. Really all related did was make it a tad bit easier to talk to the person that is being related too. It was all very so complicated, aspects of conversation was not Jecht's strong suit.

When he mentioned that it was better to believe in simple things, Jecht could not agree more with the man. For all that Jecht really believed in right now was himself, and the few amount of friends he had left. With the current condition of the world, he was going to have to hope that himself and his friends were all that were needed to get through any hard times. Which wasn't that hard to do, considering Jecht was one of the strongest people he knew, considering he knew himself very well.

Taking the man's hand as he offered it. It was a tad bit strange as most people performed the blitball sign for victory when the met new people. "Glad to meet you Auric," while he did say that, he wasn't exactly sure he was yet, as they had just met. But, with Jecht's positive outlook on things, he was sure that things would turn out well in the long run.

"Ah, curious about Spira's greatest monster are ya?" Jecht asked, knowing full well that Auric was. "Well, Sin used to be a spirit of a summoner that surrounded himself with an armor of a summon," he started with the basic of basic, what it all came down too. "You see, about one thousand years ago, this summoner sealed the souls of the people of Zanarkand into statues. Summoning their power, he created a dream, and an armor. That armor became a mass of almost endless magical power called Sin." That was the story of Sin, short, sweet, and simple. If Auric wanted to know specifics, he'd have to ask, because Jecht didn't want to go into random side stories.

"To become sin," Jecht started, scratching his goatee thinking about it for a second, "You'd have to become a Fayth and defeat the old armor that protected the summoner. Then he'd possess the summon and change it into a new armor for himself." Giving a slight pause after that last part, Jecht continued, "I became a Fayth once to defeat Sin, and ended up turning into the monster. Not the best experience if you'd ask me."

Why'd he tell this man all of this? It was because most of the people of Spira knew already anyways. Jecht had mostly gotten over this already, as the past belonged in the past. But it was a tad bit difficult in just forgetting the fact you were once a giant monster that killed many people. Fortunately, he was able to understand that he was being controlled, and that made things a million times easier in the long run.

[Auric]

Such was the way of traveler -- to walk the world and see things that would disgust or move them. Life held many wonders and many tragedies... see enough of the current world and you experience both. Auric saw things for what they were -- their effects on the wider world and their ultimate purpose. If there was one thing he could do without a doubt, it was understand the simple truths without having his view blinded by ulterior parties. But some ideas? They were just too preposterous for even the most progressive people to understand. Still, he had to hear the truth of it all and he was rather glad that Jecht was willing to share it all from an outsider's point of view. Going to one of those temples -- even those from the so-called "New Yevon", often led to a lot of awkward moments.

Funny how, even being disillusioned, people still find a way to pick "stupid" over "smart". It was a constant... habitually ingrained. Thankfully there were always certain people you could call heroes that inspired others to be more than what they are. Still, he'd heard the basics... the transformation and the how. But then came the why. After all, what was the point of taking a powerful dream and the armor it provides and using it to shield yourself? "Sounds like a rough deal of rinse and repeat. What I don't get is why make Sin in the first place?" he asked, despite having a very good guess as to why. Here's a hint -- "War. War never changes." But even with that in mind, there had to be alternatives in cracking up that armor. Sure enough, Spirans weren't too advanced -- but a big weapon wasn't hard to make... or find and reuse, for that matter.

But he wasn't done. "And... what exactly is the Fayth? I'm guessing it was the souls that were sealed into statues, but... don't the same souls have a say in the matter? And why not just destroy the statues?" he thought on, favoring his other foot while thinking on it as his mind worked in understanding certain things about Jecht. He didn't have to strap the man down and perform experiments or anything of the sort, but the one thing about experiencing something that was no doubt traumatic, was that it left an impression. Even a subconscious one. Still, he hadn't had anyone from Spira point out the Fayth to him, so he couldn't precisely find out on his own. That, and... no one gave him a description as to what to look for.

Except for now.