Living Legends [Yuna]

[auron]

He had been in Luca a few days now. Yuna and Tidus, Braska's and Jecht's kids, had reunited here. It had been two years. Spira... was at peace. People were confused with the changes happening, but all it took was a look into the eyes of one who had been from Spira to see that, even if this situation made little sense and was also frightening, it was nothing compared to the terror they had experienced then. And he had contributed to stopping it not once, but twice. The second time... it was permanent.

Auron stood in the town square, off near the wall, his great sword held behind him as it often was, his calm and alert gaze sweeping over the people going about their lives. Spira. Gaea. the Planet. It made no difference who they were, or where they had come from. Here, they were all just trying to survive this ordeal. That they could do so in relative peace, without having to worry about some great beast bearing down upon them, was something he had worked towards bringing. Auron turned his head in the direction of where Yuna was now approaching, from that little cafe in Luca where those not quick enough to get a ticket sat and watched the Blitzball games. He hadn't noticed her enter, but it was likely she had arrived before he did. Such was to be expected when one was behaving as a drifter.

[yunnie]

“It’s different isn’t it?” Voiced the young maiden approaching the man dressed in red with his high collar and sun glasses perched on his face, two cups in her hands, as she handed one towards Auron, “Two years ago, everyone was panicking, monsters had entered here, the hope and peace of Luca had failed even in the time with Sin.”

Turning around she leaned back against the wall too, staring down into the drink she had gotten, a strange drink that she was rather found of over the years, it was called a ‘French Vanilla Cappuccino’ and she loved the taste of it. She just got Auron regular coffee, black. She figured he would prefer it that way. “Two years ago...I expected to die before peace like this would happen.” She said with a sad smile.

She had expected her death, after all, countless summoners before her had gone to fight Sin, and none ever made it back, not even her own father. She was fully expecting to meet the same fate. She was 17 back then, full of despair, she was young, she did not want to die. But traveling on her journey, seeing so much death and even unsent, it was not far. If her defeating Sin resulted in her death, then it was worth it, if only for those short years of peace that would follow.

But here she was now, alive, Sin permanently gone, a peace that would expand past those years, and most importantly, all her guardians were alive.

Taking a sip from her drink, she looked over to Auron and smiled, “I changed a lot since you last saw me Auron.” She told him happily, “I got stronger, I traveled over Spira so many times, helping people, and hunting for Sphere’s.” She grinned here, “I even got into playing Blitzball.” Lowering her eyes back to her cup she smiled softly, “I’m no longer that damsel in distress from before.”

[auron]

Auron nodded, leaning his sword against the wall next to him and taking the cup of coffee. Being an Unsent, he never really felt a need to eat or drink, though it still went exactly as it would have were he a normal person or otherwise. He could tell how Yuna had changed. Not only in her outfitting, but her demeanor was much different. She moved with confidence now, and her eyes held a greater strength than they had then. "Braska would be proud," He replied, the dull brown of his left eye scanning the crowd calmly. Even if Sin was gone, he was still a warrior, and keeping aware was something a warrior was expected to do. In either case, he was also still considered Yuna's guardian as far as he was concerned, and he was aware some people would attack a celebrity like herself for the publicity of such a reckless stunt.

"And you're still in love with him, I can tell," Auron said quietly, turning his gaze to Yuna. He was happy for them, and by mistake the slightest bit of it slipped into his tone. Not much, but he did. The two had been through a lot together; that they could find love in each other was something for both of them to be thankful for. Out of curiosity... "Do you intend to get married?" He asked, his eyebrow arching slightly. He wouldn't admit it, but he felt almost like a father to both Yuna and Tidus; after Jecht and Braska, making him promise to make sure they stayed safe, how could he not?

[yunnie]

Yuna’s cheeks warmed, as she shyly looked away, some things have not changed completely. “Do you really think...my father would be proud of me?” She couldn’t help but ask, it was a stupid question though, of course he would, she defeated Sin, she lived. But that didn’t stop the doubt that in some small action that she had done, he would still be a little disappointed in her.

As much as she liked to think she was better than two years ago, she was still young, just now exiting her teens, she still made rash decisions and let her temper get the best of her as it was with Leblanc, but...that woman just rubbed her the wrong way completely! When she began becoming more into a woman, maybe then she would be more wise then she was now.

Her cheeks warmed again, but she nodded her head, “Yes, I love him with all my heart.” She told him, “I waited for him for a long time on Besaid after we fought Sin, I was out on the docks, whistling for him to come, just like he promised he would. Even though I knew he was gone, I clung to that hope, even after I stopped whistling and started hunting Sphere’s with Rikku and Paine.” When he asked that question next, Yuna tightened her grip on her drink, before sighing through her nose and closing her eyes.

“I...I would like that.” She told him, her last marriage experience was with...well Seymour, but her next one, she wanted it to be Tidus on the alter with her. “But I think I’ll for a few years first.” She nodded her head, this was her decision, “As much I would like too, we’re still...young, I want to be with him, but I don’t know if the feeling is mutual, if I rush into this, I scared I’ll lose him again, so I’ll wait for him, when he’s ready...when we’re both ready.” She turned towards Auron, “And when we finally do marry, I would like you to be the one to give me away Auron.”

Her eyes, blue and green looked at him with determination, “In the place of my father, as you are the closest to thing to me as one.”

[auron]

Auron gave a nod in reply to Yuna's request. "If that's what you wish, I would be honored," He answered, taking a drink of the coffee. He had expected such, but it was still something he wasn't used to. He was used to people either fearing or respecting him; to have people look up to him in more ways than as a guardian... it was different. Not a bad different, but... different. He partly suspected Tidus would make a similar request when they decided to go for it. Hopefully he would still be around to see it.

"You still doubt yourself too much. If he were still with us, Braska would be the proudest man in all of Spira. The two of you saved Spira; never forget that," Auron said, returning to her first reply. There was no doubt in his mind that Braska would have been overjoyed to know that his little girl had saved Spira... and not just for a short while; for eternity. "I'm also proud of you. These people can enjoy their lives because of what you and the others did."

[yunnie]

Yuna smiled brightly up at him, and any girl, she dreamed of one day getting married, and if Braska couldn’t be by her side to give her away, then the next father like figure in her life would do just as fine. She loved Braska and Auron for different reasons, both saw that as her father in one point in her life. She still saw Braska as her father, but there were some things that he couldn’t do now like she wished he could. But that was alright, Auron cared for her and provided protection and guidance easily enough, and she was thankful for that.

“I guess some habits I just can’t shake.” She admitted to him with a small joyful laugh. Watching the people interact through the streets, children playing together laughing, a woman looking over what Yuna assumed was a shopping list as she carried a large paper bag with food peaking out the top. A little girl running toward her mother, clutching a beautiful doll in her arms, her eyes lit up like lights. She brought this, gave them this chance of life. Her and her guardians.

Hearing that Auron was proud of her made a warmth settle in her chest, and a weight vanish from her shoulders. Auron’s opinion really did matter to her the most. So in response, all she could do was grin brightly up towards him. “I hope you can see Rikku again, she isn’t the same as she was before.” She told him confidently though she was sure he would be rather...appalled by her clothing choice. “Oh! And you have to meet our new friend Paine, she reminds me a lot of you really.”

Pursing her lips, she tilted her head and placed a single finger on her cheek, “Except she’s well female, but she wields a heavy sword, it kinda looks like yours too.”

[auron]

"You'll have to introduce me some time," Auron answered, the faintest hint of a smirk implied in his tone (As seeing through his collar was quite impossible). Yuna had indeed grown... and her story wasn't over yet. Neither was Tidus' story. And perhaps now was the time for himself to begin. But Yuna wasn't fully grown up yet, and neither was Tidus. He still had more time as a guardian to fulfill before he ventured out to begin his own story. He suspected that, soon, one of them would decide to see what was happening, and he would follow.

"This may be a sensitive subject, but he should have faded with the rest of his Zanarkand. I take it you had a hand in bringing him back?" Auron asked, lifting an eyebrow and looking at Yuna once more. He hoped she wouldn't mind the question. Of course, she didn't have to answer if she didn't want to, and he presumed she knew that, but Tidus would have had no way of knowing (to his knowledge) how he came back. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to, of course."

[yunnie]

Yuna nodded her head in agreement, “I’m sure you two will have lots to talk about.” She chirped, before taking another sip from her cooling cappuccino. She paused however at his next question. “Truthfully...” She said rubbing the back of her neck, below the long tied up hair that she had. “I...really don’t know how he came back.”

She lifted her eyes to look at the sky, “You see, Rikku, Paine, and I, we had to stop this weapon that an Unsent was going to use...in revenge for him and his lover being killed.” Her eyes softened in remembrance, “His name was Shuyin...and I thought he was Tidus when I first saw him on this recording sphere, he looked so much like him, only longer hair. But...he was filled with so much sorrow and hate, I tried to help him and ended up fighting him instead.”

She peered back at Auron, “Ever hear of the Vegnagun? Shuyin was going to use it to destroy Spira. We stopped him and well, his lover, Lenne, she brought him to the Farplane so he could rest. I’m...not really sure what happened next but heading back to Besaid, I saw him there, standing on the coast line, I was so afraid that it was a dream, that I would wake up any second and he wouldn’t be there.”

She smiled softly, “But he didn’t disappear, and I didn’t wake up, it was real, so very, very real. But...I think Shuyin had his hand with bringing Tidus back, something that I am eternally grateful for. I hope that him and Lenne found the peace that they really deserve.” Her eyes widened suddenly, “Oh! He also use to be a famous Blitzball player in Zanrakand! And Lenne was a famous songstress there! Do any of their names ring a bell?”

[auron]

"I see," Auron answered. Yes, he recognized those names. He'd come across something with those two names in the Zanarkand ruins, though he hadn't considered it noteworthy. That was quite an adventure she had endured with Rikku and the girl whose name he didn't recognize. Not once, but twice she had saved Spira. It was too bad Braska was no longer with them; he would have been so proud. But he wasn't here. Auron was the only one of them who was, as far as he was aware.

"Hmh... I didn't think the Vegnagun would still be functioning after this much time. You'll have to introduce me to these friends of yours," he said, looking at Yuna and giving a genuine and completely visible smile. More a smirk, but for Auron doing such was a rare event. "You would have earned my respect if you didn't have it already. If I'm not careful, you might end up taking my job," He said, giving a single chuckle. Just as quickly, however, Auron's showing of emotion was restored to an unreadable expression. But it had indeed been there. He was going to miss those kids when they parted ways...

[yunnie]

Yuna laughed and smiled brightly, “Nope!” She declared happily up at him, “I could never take Auron’s job, because he is the best at it!” She gave a confident nod to after saying this, as she was pretty sure she could never, ever take Auron’s place, though she felt so happy and proud that she got Auron to smile. “Oh! I almost forgot!” This probably wouldn’t surprise him, but she had to tell them, “Wakka and Lulu are married and they have a baby!”

“He’s so cute! They named him Chappu, after Wakka’s brother. He has Lulu’s skin I say, he so pale, but that could be for a different reason, he has Wakka’s hair though! Bright orange.” Yuna giggled, “It almost looks like its fire.” She tapped her chin, “Kimihari went back to the Mountain, he’s actually doing pretty well there now! I miss him, but if this will make him happy I’m glad.” She smiled up at him, “They’ll be so happy to see you and Tidus! Back and well, I think you will give Rikku a heart attack though...or she’ll feel the urge to prank you.”

She watched a pair of what looked like mice, only standing up on their two feet and well, being human, walk by and couldn’t help but blink at them; they looked so pretty in their own way, though she hoped nothing would happen when they would meet Ronso who were feline like...

“You should visit Lulu and Wakka sometime, if only to see the baby, maybe you’ll be his Godfather.” She giggled again, “Sorry, just seems like your getting a lot of ‘parent’ or ‘Guardian’ roles then before ne?” Leaning back against the wall she looked up to the sky, “You know...its ok, now that your alive, if you want to go off and have your own story.”

[auron]

Auron nodded in reply. Either he would stop by personally, or he would run into them on his way. Truth be told, he would have been happy to tag along with Tidus and Yuna. They were stronger now... but they still needed guidance. And on top of that, Auron had a promise to keep.

"Thank you for the offer," Auron said, not turning his gaze from its slow sweep over the crowd. "but with your permission, I'd rather travel with the two of you for a while."

[yunnie]

Yuna looked towards Auron with her bi-colored eyes, mostly out of shock. She thought that, since he was back, and that he saw that they were both well and together that he would like to continue his own story from once it had ended in his death. But another part of her was relieved. Smiling, she leaned back against the wall her eyes closed.

“I would love to be a part of your story Auron.” She said, looking back towards him, “We both would, travel with us as long as you want, we will understand when you want to leave us.” She said softly, draining the rest of her drink. “But please, don’t do this because you feel obligated to my Father or Jecht. Tidus and I, we would love your company for your own reasons and no one else’s.” She gave him another soft smile, “I know you see us as your charges, but I would like to think that we are friends.”

Yuna pushed away from the wall, “When you and Tidus disappeared, I thought I could never become who I am now. I thought I would stay that way two years ago. But...” She looked over her shoulder towards Auron, “But I continued forward, I changed, I learned more than white magic. Because I knew both of you would continue forward, I wanted to see you both smile, into the person I had become.”

Looking back forward her eyes locked with Tidus’ form as he looked around confused. “Let’s all change this time, together, ne?” She said before running over to him and hugging the blonde.

OOC: You can make the closing reply if you want <_<

[auron]

"We'll see," Auron replied, watching Yuna go to her love. Braska and Jecht would have been proud of their children, he was certain. They had indeed grown a lot since he had last seen them... but he wasn't completely convinced. Not of them, but of his own abilities. His body had felt stiff and a bit unresponsive since he had woken in Luca once more. He would rather test himself with those two at his side than discover he could no longer handle himself alone.

The doubt in his mind was marginal, though. The stiffness he felt was most likely caused by being inactive for two years, dead and finally gone. Most of the odd feeling had dissipated as he remained active, so he was confident he would be fine. And, he still had to make sure one hundred percent that his promise had been taken care of. It would hardly be becoming of him to break his word to Braska and Jecht now, after just returning. Auron gave a final look in the direction of Yuna before gripping the hilt of his sword, placing it against his shoulder and disappearing into the crowd. It was almost time... to begin his story.


[THREAD END]