#and yuna too actually good lord yuna i need to talk about her again

[princekirijo]

It's funny how much Riku enters my mind. Like I forget he's not canon sometimes. That's just Yukari and Mitsuru's son. Canonically. To me.

Dude this is so sweet ty 🥺 it means a lot that hehe 😈

[mevekagvain]

Chapter 54- Once again, Marie's clothes are atrocious.

Chapter 55 - 'The wounds are healing like a normal person's would'. Uh no?? For a normal person you'd need to treat and stitch up that shit, not leave them wide open as you poke at them.

Chapter 58 - Honestly you don't get to say that others take away lives so easily when you and everyone under you is also murder happy Rai. Like yeah there's nuance but it's still not as clear cut as you'd think.

Chapter 65 - It's hilarious how both Rai and Frankenstein suck at all sorts of games. Maybe that's the real reason they're bffs.

- Yuna,,, cutie,,,

- You did your best M-24. It wasn't very good because you should have been distracting the infected not Jake, but you did your best.

- Never understood the whole being in pain thing from being flicked in the forehead like, how hard are they doing it?? I've been foing it to my sister my whole life and vice versa and neither of us have ever been in any pain.

Chapter 66 - They're posing while blocking the way of the kids sjksksks. Also you can obviously see that M-21 is turned away because he doesn't want to do this on a deeper note. Not that it matters because they're posing.

- Marie is so smart I love her.

Chapter 76 - The kids are honestly so sweet.

- I do not like that Jake is taller than Rai. He himself is already too tall, and Jake's supposed to be taller??

Chapter 77 - They really had to get Marie's boobs into her death silhouette huh... ew.

Chapter 78 - Wow even Cloud wasn't strong enough to handle the experimentation. The Union is real hardcore.

Chapter 79 - Tbh calling Marie and Jake the best of the best still makes sense even with all the stronger opponents considering that said stronger opponents are all in higher positions than them. Exception would be Cerberus who I'd say are more at an equal position and that's easily excused by saying they have more experience. Plus it was said by M-21 who knows jack shit and only got info from loudmouth Jake so obviously none of it is going to be accurate anyway.

Chapter 81 - Cutie 🥺

Chapter 82 - Huh, so vampires are category B in the Union for experimentation records. I'd say nobles but that's doubtful since they've only been able to replicate mind control and mutation through drinking blood. The latter only occurs in vampires since their blood bonds are corrupted.

Chapter 85 - This just reads like a creepypasta or scp lmao.

Chapter 87 - Rip Simon, I always liked him.

Chapter 88 - If Rai heard how much I mocked him he'd be shocked. Ofc he wouldn't hurt me since I haven't committed crimes but I bet he'd be hurt inside.

Chapter 89 - Even Crombel appears to think vampires and nobles are one and the same which is interesting. Maybe that means vampires, even though severely mutated through weakened blood bonds, have the same basic dna make up as nobles? Or I suppose they could have managed to get nobles to experiment on. Wouldn't be too hard to snatch a dead one from the Loyard massacre.

Chapter 90 - It wouldn't be strange if Raizel was under the impression that M-21 was actually a werewolf who was experimented on and this had his power trapped within him initially. After all, he has a werewolf heart and likely an aura somewhat similar to one in Raizel's eyes. Thus he could have easily thought that since he would never have met an actual werewolf who had been prevented from using their power and wouldn't know what their aura would be like. So human aura with faint werewolf traces? Must be a werewolf. It would be disproven quickly enough for the audience not to notice either too since Frankenstein does a checkup on him.

Chapter 91 - Raizel and Frankenstein going 'tf are you talking about' @ M-21,,, that's me at noblesse characters always.

- Idk where Frankenstein gets so much trust in Raizel's choices. The last group of people he hung out with was the traitors and as the name suggests, that didn't go well. But then again... the whole thing happened precisely because he didn't trust them enough to be their friends so I guess he's kinda right? In that if he doesn't trust ppl they'll definitely betray him compared to if he does trust them where even if he gets betrayed he'll know it's not his fault. Anyway that's irrelevant and the point is that Frankenstein has no reason to be so confident when Raizel's previous stray pets were the traitor nobles.

Chapter 92 - I guess Shinwoo doesn't like bananas if he keeps pawning his off to Rai.

- 5 hours to get to a place he's been before and should know the way to... Yeah no wonder mvp lord was always so fucking worried about him.

- Queen I know you think he's hot but you're gonna get brain damage. Also looking at the girl on the right there are definitely other foreigners in Ye Ran.

- By my hcs this would be said by Urokai because think most human experimentation in the Union is stupid. Like experimentation to cure idk, cancer? Good. This shit? He hates it.

Sidenotes - Tbh I've never really had the same complaints about the kids not being the main characters along with Rai and Frankenstein the way other people do. Like sure it would have been cool and I would have loved Shinwoo to be Union or werewolf related somehow but I always just found it hilarious how all expectations were subverted and it turned out they really just some normal kids TM. And it make sense! Sure they're special, for completely normal teenagers. Just let them chill and be teens instead of getting the trauma the rest of the household carries around like designer handbags. I say that but Shinwoo being Urokai's son is my canon lmao

- Good thing that the abandoned building didn't have automatic or rotating doors or else the kids would be super dead.

[lethesomething]

Ghost of Tsushima and the Hands of Fate

I see we're still trying to prove that games are an art form by making everyone feel bad.

For the record, Ghost of Tsushima is one of my favourite games in a very long time. It is extremely pretty, the aesthetic and general … polish is *cheff's kiss*. You can pet foxes and backstab people. The fighting mechanic is decent and there are just So Many Hats.

But also, it has the kind of story that pulls you in to the point where you have to drop the controller to hide behind your fingers going 'ohgodno'.

It is an absolute bastard of a game, is what i'm saying.

So let's talk about that, and specifically about Straw Hat Ryuzo and how I feel bad for him.

I am, by the way, going to be talking about the narrative structure of a video game about medieval samurai, so expect like, a bunch of spoilers.

The narrative is one of the big draws in Ghost of Tsushima. Like yes, it's an open world rpg with fighting and flower picking and all the important stuff, and also yes, some of the bits are sloppily written (looking at you, specifically, 'Ending to Norio's Arc'), but the game definitely sets out to Tell a Story.

And because this is a Serious Game that openly bases itself on samurai movies like Kurosawa's, it is a Drama.

In many ways it is an utterly brutal Bildungsroman, a narrative in which a young man finds his identity.

I have joked with friends about the clear intent for this game to make Important Stories, in that it actually tries to tick all the boxes of hotbutton subjects: childhood trauma? Obviously. Gay relationships?  Yup. Survivor's guilt and PTSD? Oh yes. Domestic abuse? Several. Suggested pedophilia? Damn, even that.

The foxes are there to soothe the soul

It's interesting to note that from a writing point of view, this bildungsroman is even Very Classically Structured. It goes so far as to be a three acter, with a pretty standard build-up.

 Jin Sakai, traumatized man that he is, spends the first act slowly getting to grips with the bit where you don't fight an army by yourself by  just walking up to them and challenging them With Honour, like he has been taught his entire life. Instead of getting stabbed repeatedly in the chest and set on fire, he  discovers guerilla warfare and creates this persona of the Ghost, a literal vengeful spirit seeking justice for the island of Tsushima.

It gets him some big wins and in the second act he slowly embraces this identity until things get to a head where he clashes with his entire old life. The third act starts at the hero's lowest point and is utterly gut wrenching (i am Still Not Over the horse, game), forcing him to pull himself together for an ending that is, well…fitting for the narrative. It's an ending that is needed, but perhaps not what Jin deserves.

 But anyway, this is about Ryuzo, and how until that ending, I was very upset about his role.

You see, this story is told in part through the lives of Important Npc's, who contribute to Jin's journey of self-discovery. This is pretty obvious with someone like Yuna, who is the one to introduce him to the Stealth Life and who is a driving force behind the marketing of the Ghost.

Someone like Masako, meanwhile, portrays vengeance and self discipline, but Jin also kinda tries to make her fill the mother-shaped hole in his heart.

Lord Shimura, meanwhile, is an Obvious Father figure but also stands for Jin's past. He's rigid and ineffective, which pushes Jin to further look for alternatives.

Ishikawa, that other mentor figure, is more moderate and flexible, but he also represents a possible unwanted future. He literally warns Jin at one point not to become like him.

Norio, then, is as mentioned not the best written, but he too is a person that searches for his destiny and tries to become like his hero, while only barely holding on to his sanity. 

Kenji, I'm sorry, I love you but you're just comic relief, that's all you do. It's an imporant job in the story, because god does it need it, but you're not teaching Jin anything other than how to make different 'resigned sigh' noises.

So what about Ryuzo? From the very beginning, Ryuzo's story didn't really sit right with me. There's the obvious class issue: he's one of the few important npc's that are poor, and he's an Antagonist.

It has always rubbed me the wrong way that his original intentions were good, depending on how you read it. He's trying to feed his men. He essentially made the decision that this one man's life (even if it is an old friend) is worth the price for the lives of his band of ronin.

It's a lot more complex than that, of course. Ryuzo partly blames Jin for his predicament in life, and he also knows that samurai treat their soldiers as chattel, which the game goes out of its way to show you they DO.

  Essentially, he's a complicated character who makes bad decisions for arguably good reasons.

Ryuzo did everything he could to save the lives of the people he cared about. He went so far as to abandon his honor and his childhood friends, to try to make this happen.

Does that ring any bells?

It kinda clicked for me at the very end of the game.

Jin, being the protag in an assassin game, does a lot of killing. But some of these deaths are given more meaning than others. Some of them are there to make you feel like shit (the Horse Again, but you lose several friends along the way), others serve a more defining purpose.

You see, there's a fair amount of what i'd like to call 'intimate violence' in Ghost of Tsushima. It's an old trope. The 'if someone was gonna kill me, it had to be you' kinda scene that hails from a worldview in which some deaths are better than others, sure, but some deaths are better even than living. It's a worldview in which life itself is less valuable than your legacy. You die for your place in history. For your clan, for your family, for your honor.

Bushido is full of that sort of thing, so it makes sense that a game building on that worldview, would use the heck out of that trope.

  The first is Ryuzo's death. You fight him in a duel, in which he tries to plead for some resolution. You could let him go, come up with some story. But Ryuzo is a traitor, so Jin ultimately defeats him and sends him off in what would be a touching moment of bro friendship if it wasn't for the blood and my 21st century sensibilities.

You grant him a warrior's death, is what I'm saying.

  It happens again with Shimura. The game actually gives you a choice here, but if you go through with it, the scene almost perfectly mirrors Ryuzo's.

You fight in a duel, and Jin tries to get his uncle to just let him go, come to some kind of resolution. But Jin has been branded a traitor, and the only way for Shimura to restore his honour and clan, is to take his life;

This being a game in which you have the power of bamboo strikes and also save games behind you, Jin ultimately wins the duel, and has the option of granting Shimura a warrior's death.

It is utterly heart wrenching and that whole scene has no business being as pretty as it is. The swelling music? The fucking strings? The anguished yell?

Fuck.

  But anyway.

That's about where it clicked with me, that Jin never had a choice.

Ryuzo's whole role wasn't fair, but this is one of those stories where life itself is just not fair at all.

Both him and Shimura are there to show us Jin's path.

  What if, the game says, Jin had listened? What if he'd taken one of several offers the Khan made and surrendered?

What if he'd cooperated?

Well, we see in Graphic Detail what would happen. He would get pushed into doing horrific things. He gets manipulated, again and again, until there is no way out anymore. At some point it becomes clear to him that he's on the wrong side but whenever he tries to devise some plan to turn things around, things go Badly. He's firmly stuck in Khotun's web and the only way out is death.

But what if, the game says, Jin had stayed true to his honour? What if he had listened to his uncle, not defied him, if he had dropped the Ghost before it was too late?  If he'd gone full bushido and repented for the shogun and done all the groveling and the proper stuff.

Samuraihood is just another straightjacket, says Shimura's fate. The tenets are so rigorous you would take your loved ones life, while fucking bawling your eyes out. Shimura knows damn well it's unfair but he also has no way to leave this path. It's a ride he cannot, and will not, get off alive.

  Jin never had a choice.

There was only ever one way for him to go.

Like let's be real: pretty much everyone in this story was dealt a bad hand. It's a narrative about resilience in the face of utter horror, of reinventing yourself and giving up entire structures of faith. People like Masako, Yuna, Norio are finding peace in dealing with huge levels of trauma and regret.

The goal isn't to start a family and live happily ever after, it's to Survive.

Submitting to the mongols would have killed Jin's spirit. Standing tall and rigid as he was taught to do would have, ultimately, killed him as well.

  "I've given up everything to save these people", he says near the end. "And I would do it again."

That's someone who has no regrets.

Jin never could have taken another path and he knows it.

And this is why Ryuzo needed a fate as shitty as his. He fell, so Jin could walk.

I'm sorry, it's still not fair.

This game needs some comfort fic.

[p-artsypants]

I Do...I Guess (6)

The Farplane

Ao3 | FF.net

I decided to change the way the Farplane worked, only for story purposes. You know, you gotta do what you can for the Drama™.

Also, I’m going to try to keep the lore the same, but it gets kind of confusing towards the end of the first game, so if I mess up or change something, I’m trying to have it make sense in my head. 

Also, I don’t want to completely rehash the whole story the same way, except for the little change of Yuna and Tidus being married. But some of the events are going to be pretty similar and chronological. I mean, they have a path they have to go, and I really liked the story in the game. Why ruin a good thing?

The longer time goes on, the more we’ll diverge. I’m hoping this story will reach into X-2’s timeline, but the ending is still fuzzy. I’m not writing this ahead of time, like a smart person would. You’re getting it as it comes! Whoooo!

—

As they reached the gate to the Farplane, Auron took a seat on the edge of the ramp.

“I can’t go in.” He said simply. 

Rikku took up the seat next to him and took a deck of cards out of her inventory. “We Al Bhed aren’t super big on the Farplane. We prefer to leave the past in the past.” 

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s why you dig up all the Machina.” Wakka muttered, before being elbowed by Lulu. “Ow!” 

“Behave.” 

The gate to the Farplane looked like a wall of water, mirroring the side they were on.

Tidus hesitated outside, but Wakka and Lulu walked in without another thought.

“Are you coming?” Yuna asked. 

“Uh yeah…” 

And it felt like submerging underwater, but there was no wetness, just the sensation of moving from one world into the next. 

The Farplane was vast and huge, teeming with life, despite being the land of the dead. Flowers covered the ground, and cascading waterfalls filled the sky. 

The sun looked like a hole had been punched in the sky and light shone from behind. A rotting, swirling blackness gnawed at the edges, making the almost pristine world have an ominous air to it. 

“Whoa.” Said Tidus. 

“It’s so pretty,” said Yuna. 

“So how does this work?” Tidus asked the more experienced party members. 

“It’s pretty easy,” Wakka walked up to a podium at the edge of the platform they stood on. “All you gotta do is touch this sphere, here. Then, all the people in the Farplane that want to see you will appear. Then you get to pick who you want to talk to, and they’ll come forward, and then you can talk to them.” 

“Have you done this before?” 

“For sure, ah? Quite a few years ago, Chappu and I were talking about an old Besaid legend, the Melonheads. It was a group of people with swollen heads that lived in the caves down by the beach. Chappu never believed they existed, but me and some of the Aurochs were sure it was true. So when Lulu and I came through on our last pilgrimage, I asked the previous leader of Besaid about it.” 

“And what did he say?” 

“He didn’t know, so he called on his predecessor, and he called on his, so on and so forth, until we got all the way back to the war.” 

“And?” 

“And it was a bunch of bologna. It was some dumb joke from my grandfather’s era.” 

“That’s really cool you got to solve it though!” Yuna chirped. “And you got to talk to the founder of Besaid! That’s amazing.” 

“So who’s going first?” Tidus asked, glancing at the podium. 

“I’ll go. I’ll show you how it works,” replied Wakka. He confidently strolled up to the podium, but paused with his hand hovering over the sphere. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“I just…got nervous, all of a sudden. I haven’t seen Chappu since…” he swallowed instead of finishing his sentence, and then pressed his hand on the surface of the softly glowing sphere. 

The air filled with hazy figures, slowly solidifying into ghostly people. Details and faces appearing as they were before they died. About fifty in total, and mostly men. 

Luzzu, a crusader that Tidus had met on Besaid, and travelled with the team all the way to Mi’ihen, was among them. 

“Wow,” Wakka said with a little, sad chuckle. “There’s more here than I was expecting.” Then he spotted Chappu, and beckoned him forward. 

“Hey big brodda! It’s been awhile, ya?” Chappu greeted with a big smile. Though he had the proud Besaid accent and boisterous voice, his sound was airy and wispy.    

“Yeah. Yeah it has.” Wakka responded, without much enthusiasm. 

“What’s with the cold reception?! Bummed because I’m dead?” 

Wakka laughed slightly, unable to help it. “Yeah. Yeah man, that’s it exactly.” 

“Well knock it off! The Farplane isn’t too bad, ya? I built a place down by the river, surrounded by flowers. We play Blitz all day, and never have to work. And the best part? No Sin! Sure, we don’t eat or sleep, but we don’t need to. So stop moping!” 

“I just…miss you. Is all.” 

“Yeah, I miss you too, eh? But time is different here. Not sure how long I’ve been dead.” 

“About a year now.” 

“Wow, a whole year! Feels like just yesterday, but also like I’ve been here for eons. It’s too hard to explain.” He waved a hand in front of his face, changing the topic. “What are you doing in Guadosalam anyway?” 

“I’m a guardian again. This time, for good. Gave up the game. It was time to get serious, you know?”

“Who this time?” 

“It’s Yuna, she’s finally ready.” He gestured behind him so that Chappu could see. 

Yuna waved. 

“Little Yuna is already on her Pilgrimage? Well, good luck! And I’ll save you a good spot!” He laughed. 

No one joined. 

“Hey Wakka,” Chappu grew serious. “You takin’ good care of my girl?” 

“He bullies me,” Lulu answered. 

“I do not! If anything, you’re the bully!”

“You need to be bullied. You’re too immature.” 

Chappu laughed again. “I guess I got my answer.”

“If anything, I’m taking care of him.” Lulu added. “But he makes sure I’m staying safe.” 

“Good, glad to hear it. I’d haunt Wakka if he wasn’t taking care of you.” 

Lulu closed her eyes, and downcast her face, hiding her expression. 

“I see Kimahri, and who’s this dude?” Chappu gestured to Tidus. 

“Your long lost twin, ya? Gotta rub some tomato in his hair, but he could be you. I gave him your sword. I think he likes it.” 

“Good! I certainly don’t need it here. Better he use it to keep Yuna safe.” 

“You got it, Chappu!” Tidus gave him a thumbs up. 

“I wish I could talk longer, but your time is precious. Just promise me one thing, Wakka.”

“What’s that?” 

“Let me go.” 

Wakka swallowed and shook his head. “I don’t know if I can do that yet, you know? For the longest time, I hoped…” he swallowed again, finding his throat too dry. “In my head, I knew you’d be here. They told me they found your body. But my heart kept hoping that they were wrong. But here you are.” 

“So take this as closure. I’m fine. Great actually. I have plenty of regrets,” he glanced at Lulu, “but there’s no one in the Farplane who doesn’t have their regrets. I’ll learn to live with them. Or…die with them, as the case may be. But you still have time, and hanging onto me is going to drag you down.” 

“Gee, when did you get so smart?” 

“You learn a few things when you arrive here. Things that seemed important when you were alive suddenly aren’t anymore, and you get a look at a bigger picture. But I’m spoiling it for you.” He shot his arm out, giving Wakka a brotherly punch that he’d never feel. “Take care, brodda. Get Yuna to Zanarkand, and maybe coach the Aurochs again if you get back, ah? We got to win once.” 

Wakka laughed. “We did win! This guy,” he pointed at Tidus. “He allegedly played for the Zanarkand Abes! He took us to the finals!” 

“You for real? He’s from Zanarkand? We played them on this side not too long ago. Great team! They got some moves I’ve never seen before. Kicked our butts, they did!” 

Wakka laughed, a real genuine laugh since they had arrived in Guadosalam. It was heartbreaking. 

“Well, you better get off the line, before we talk about Blitz for three hours.” 

“Yeah.” He sighed, and his shoulders relaxed. “I’ll see you around, ya? Next time, I might be on the other side with you.” 

“You better be an old man.” 

“No guarantees. You save me a good spot too though, okay?” 

“Already did. It’s blocked out and everything.” 

“Thanks. Well…bye Chappu.” 

“See you, Wakka.” 

And he removed his hand from the sphere. For a while, he stood there, staring at the place Chappu had been. Then he quickly wiped his face and turned to the group. “See? Easy as pie! Who’s next?” 

Yuna avoided eye contact and twiddled her thumbs. 

“Lu? You wanna go?” 

“I have no one I want to talk to.” Then she considered a moment. “But, there is someone I want to see. Just to make sure they made it to the Farplane.” She approached the podium, and touched the sphere. 

About the same amount of people appeared for Lulu as for Wakka, with lots of the same faces, including Chappu. 

After a glance over the crowd, she frowned. “A shame.” 

“You don’t see them?” 

“No. But, they could just not want to see me. I wouldn’t blame them either.” She removed her hand and stepped back, leaving the podium open for Yuna. 

“I guess it’s my turn, then.” 

With the determination he saw her garner when she summoned, Yuna approached the sphere, and placed her hand on it. Tidus was quick to take his place beside her, for emotional support. 

Many more people appeared. Maybe 200. Maybe more. It was hard to tell. 

“Famous even in the Farplane,” Tidus joked. 

“Hm. Many of these people knew my father, and probably would like to speak to me because of him. Or perhaps I met them once and made that big of an impact. It’s hard to know. But, honestly, I don’t recognize them all.” 

But there, in the middle, stood her parents, arm in arm, reunited in death. 

She beckoned them forward. 

Immediately, Lord Braska’s face melted in adoration. “Is that my Yuna? My little girl?” His voice, like Chappu, had a wispy quality to it. The sound of someone speaking without vocal chords. 

“Hello mother, father.” She greeted with a tearful smile. 

“My my child, how you have grown. How old are you now?” 

“17.” 

“Ten years it’s been then? What are you doing in Guadosalam?” 

“I’m on my own Pilgrimage to Zanarkand.” 

Instead of beaming with pride, like Tidus expected he would, Braska frowned. “You became a Summoner? That’s…a fate I had hoped to spare you from.” 

“You’re so young,” said her mother. 

“I know. But, when you defeated Sin, you brought so much joy to Spira. I want to do so too. And it’s not your fault, but I think everyone expects the same of me.” 

“I was afraid of that.” Braska lamented. 

“I want you to meet my guardians!” Yuna interjected, before the man could blame himself further. She beckoned Kimahri closer. “This is Kimahri Ronso. Sir Auron met him on his way back from your Pilgrimage and asked him to find me. He brought me to Besaid and stayed with me ever since.”

“Glad to know Auron kept his promise to look after you.” Braska smiled. 

“In Besaid, I met Lulu and Wakka. They’ve been like family to me. They practically raised me. And Sir Auron, we met up with in Luca. He’s outside, with Rikku!”

“Rikku?” Asked her mother, “your cousin?”

“Yep!”

This little tidbit of information did not escape Wakka. “Your who-what now?” 

Yuna hunched her shoulders. “Um…Rikku is my cousin?”

“But…that would mean…you’re Al Bhed?”

Yuna’s mother spoke up. “Half. A summoner married to an Al Bhed is given no favors, even if he’s widowed. So, it’s not well known.” 

“Summoner Braska married one…” Wakka shook his head in disbelief. “What a way to learn this information…” 

“You’re not going to bail, are you?” Asked Lulu. 

“No. Guardian through and through. Just…I need some time to process.” He held his head and muttered something that sounded like, “and I said all those things.” 

“And who’s this strapping gentleman standing next to you?” Yuna’s mother asked. “I think you missed a guardian?”

“Oh! Of course. This is Tidus, Sir Jecht’s son…and my husband.”

THAT brought joy from the couple. 

“You got married!” Her mother cheered. “That’s wonderful!” 

“To the crybaby?” Asked Braska, with a smug smile.

Tidus rolled his eyes. “I’m not a crybaby.”

“There will be some hard times ahead of you, and having someone like a spouse to support you will help. It's a luxury I wish I could have had.”

“Actually…” She clenched her hands to her chest. “There’s something I need your advice on. One Summoner to another.” 

“Whatever you need, My Love.” 

Just that little nickname brought joy to the part of her heart that had desperately missed her father. “Did you ever know Maester Seymour Guado?”

He thought for a moment. “Lord Jyscal’s son? I don’t think I ever met him. He’s half human, half Guado, right? He’s a Maester now, hmm? Good for him.”

“Yes, he umm…he proposed to me.”

Braska laughed. “And you obviously told him you were married, correct?”

“Well, yes. But Tidus and I have only been married a few days. Well, Maester Seymour believes it would be best if we got our marriage annulled, and Maester Seymour and I wed instead.”

“He said that!?” Yuna’s mother gawked. 

Braska, too, looked disturbed at the idea. “Why would he ask such a thing?”

“He said that…well, as a Summoner, it’s my job to bring joy to Spira. And a wedding between a Maester and Summoner would be a joyous occasion.” 

“Sure,” said Braska. “Until they find out that you broke off your marriage of love for a marriage for politics.” 

“That’s what Auron said!” Tidus interjected. 

“And that didn’t convince you?” 

Yuna blushed, embarrassed. “I know…I just…he’s a Maester, and he only has Spira and Summoner’s best interests at heart. He wouldn’t have asked if there wasn’t some good that would come out of it.” As she said it, she wondered if she really believed that. It was what she was trying to convince herself was really happening, instead of the gut feeling that hit everytime Seymour appeared. “Would he?”

Braska shook his head. “My sweet daughter, by bringing the Calm, I had hoped that I had paved a way for you to do what you want. I’m so proud that you’ve become a summoner. But Spira’s happiness doesn’t need to rest solely on your shoulders. There’s no reason you and Tidus couldn’t have a more formal and public ceremony to bring joy.”

Yuna looked over to Tidus, not having considered that at all. 

“Yuna. As hypocritical as this may sound, promise me, you won’t let anyone tell you want to do in your marriage. You and Tidus are a team now. A team not even a Maester can break up. And that’s coming from High Summoner Braska.” 

Yuna actually wept a few tears in relief. “Thank you, father. I needed to hear that. I was so concerned about Yevon and my duties to the Temples, that I forgot my duties as a wife.” She turned to Tidus. “I’m going to tell Seymour no.”

Tidus deflated like a balloon, relaxed and relieved. “Thank Yevon, right?” 

“And you, Sir Tidus,” Braska said sternly. 

Tidus straightened up. 

“As her guardian, don’t be afraid to tell people to back off. It’s your duty. Your father was particularly talented in it. Although, best not use the same language and hand gestures he used.” 

“I understand.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “You’d get it. Yevon isn’t a thing in Zanarkand. Knowing what’s appropriate and would reflect poorly on Yuna…that’s something I’m trying to figure out.” 

“Whatever you do, once Yuna defeats Sin, it all gets overlooked, or remembered fondly. So just do what you have to.” 

“Yes sir!”

“Glad to hear it. Now, Yuna…there’s something you should know about Zanarkand.” 

“What is it, father?”

Braska hesitated. “Did Auron tell you anything?”

“Um…not anything outside of my expectations.” 

“Hmm. And you’re set on this Summoner path?” 

“That's all I want.” 

He seemed to think better of whatever he was going to say, and instead said, “well, I suppose you’ll find out when the time comes. In the end, it won’t matter.” 

“In the end?” Asked Tidus. 

Braska gave him a little look. “At the end of the Pilgrimage. It won’t matter. All she needs to do is defeat Sin.” 

“Oh, sure. Right.” 

Braska reached a hand out, touching the side of Yuna’s face, sending tingles over her cheek. “One last thing, my wonderful daughter. There’s no shame in abandoning the Pilgrimage. I almost turned back, and most Summoners do as well. I love you, and I will continue to do so no matter what you choose.”

“Thank you, father. It’s a blessing to know I have your support no matter what happens.” 

“And Tidus’ support,” he reminded. “And he’s tangible.” 

Tidus rested a hand on her shoulder, squeezing affectionately. 

Wiping a tear from her eye, Yuna gave a curt nod. 

“Good luck, My dearest daughter.” 

“We’ll be waiting,” her mother added. 

And Yuna removed her hand from the podium. She sighed, closing her eyes. 

“Feel a little better?” Tidus asked. 

“Yes. I had hoped talking to my father would give me clarity. And it did.” 

“Uh…Yuna?” Wakka spoke up. 

They were both prepared for Wakka to start interrogating her about her heritage, since that had to be on the forefront of his mind. Instead, he was pointing at the place Braska had been. 

Yuna looked up, and saw a Guado man. “Lord Jyscal?” 

Unlike Chappu and Braska, Jyscal looked…unwell. Dead and ghostly, of course, but he looked more gray, more tormented. He crooked a finger towards her, and beckoned her closer. 

Yuna leaned in, nervous that a figment could appear without anyone touching the podium. 

He whispered something in her ear. Something that puzzled her. 

But before anyone could ask questions, he was gone. 

“What did he say?” Asked Tidus. 

“I…I’m not sure. I couldn’t understand him.” She lied. More than anything, she wanted to deflect from the news she had received. “Tidus, would you like to try?” She gestured to the sphere.

He considered it. “It couldn’t hurt right? Maybe I’ll tell my mom that I got hitched. She won’t believe me.” He laughed as rested his hand on the sphere.

Hundreds. Thousands of people appeared. 

A city’s worth.

“Whoa…” said Wakka. 

“Ah. Yeah…that’s what happens when you and your dad are famous, I guess. All my fans want to see me.” He frowned as he looked around, tears gathering in his eyes. 

Children, young people in the prime of their lives, and his teammates. Friends he had eaten with just a month ago. They were all here, waiting for him. 

“I…I changed my mind.” He removed his hand. “I don’t want to talk to anyone.” The ghosts disappeared, like a bad dream.  

Wakka was staring at him, jaw dropped. 

“What?”

“You’re for real? You’re really from Zanarkand?”

Tidus chuckled. “Oh so now you believe me?”

“Kind of hard to ignore the evidence! I don’t even know that many people!”

“I’m waiting for an apology.”

Wakka sighed. “Fine. I’m sorry for doubting you and calling you delusional.”

“Ahem.”

“I’m sorry, Sir Tidus.”

He smiled. “Hey, water under the bridge! Now, let’s go tell Seymour the good news and get the heck out of Guadosalam!”

Lulu spoke up. “Unfortunately, there’s a really bad storm in the Thunder Plains. We’ll have to stay the night here.” 

“When is it not storming in the Thunder Plains?”

“Fine. Get struck. See if I care.” 

Yuna led the party out of the Farplane, back to where Rikku and Auron were waiting. 

“So?” Asked Rikku. “How did it go?” 

“I’ve decided to tell Seymour no. Tidus and I are staying married.” 

“Good!” She cheered, then tacked on, “Seymour’s kind of an asshole anyway.” 

“He’s still a Maester. So you shouldn’t call him that.” Reprimanded Lulu. “At least, not in front of others.” 

Wakka sheepishly approached Rikku and gave her a light rap on the shoulder with his knuckles. “Hey kiddo, I’m sorry about what I said earlier. We might disagree about things, but there was no reason for me to yell at you, ya?” 

“Aww, it’s okay Wakka. It’s hard to fight against your whole worldview, right?” 

Auron smirked at the exchange. “Let me guess. You found out about Yuna's heritage?” 

Wakka might as well be as transparent as those on the Farplane. “Yeah well. Even if Yuna wasn’t half Al Bhed…it was still crappy to yell at a kid.” 

Rikku grinned. “I’ll take it!” 

The group then returned to Seymour’s mansion. Only to find the man in question missing. 

“Lord Seymour has moved on to his temple in Macalania, as he stated you needed time to consider his offer,” said Tromell.

“He didn’t wait for the storm to pass?” Asked Lulu. 

“Lord Seymour is not bothered by such things. But he assumed the storm and your late arrival would keep you here, and he has had two rooms prepared for you.” 

Tidus and Yuna shared a look. Only two rooms?

“Whoo! Slumber party!” Rikku chirped. 

Auron patted Tidus’ back and spoke softly. “I can see the anxiety on your face, plain as day. Lulu and Rikku will be with her. There’s nothing to worry about.” 

“Getting separation anxiety two days into marriage, eh?” Wakka chided. “It’s kinda cute.” 

“Lay off. I’m just…pissed with Seymour, is all.” He muttered, only partly lying. 

“If you are all set, I will show you to your rooms. If you will follow me.”  

Tidus and Yuna fell into step with one another, as was a common occurrence as of late. 

“Yuna?” 

“I know,” she said with a sad little smile. “We should talk about it. But…I’m kind of tired. Can it wait until we have the privacy of our own room?” 

That was such a gracious request, he couldn’t help but honor it. “Of course. Later. But, we’re good, right?”

“Only if you’re okay. I wouldn’t blame you if you were still mad at me.” 

“It’s kind of hard to stay mad at you. It…kind of hurt, but I understand.” 

She reached over and took his hand, squeezing it. “I never want to hurt you again.” This came out with so much sorrow in her voice. 

He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

[lindsaylouus]

10 Lords a-Leaping 🔟🔟🔟 (NCT - Haechan)

A/N: Emoji game, slightly more literal than yesterday. Enjoy!

‘Bye Miss Y/N!!!’ The little ones called as they filed out the door in a flurry to meet their parents.

‘Bye Kids! Merry Christmas, be good!!’ You waved back at them, waiting until they’d all safely left.

You slumped in your chair, head leaning back and breathed a sigh of relief. You loved those kids, but boy were they a handful. Luckily, it was the last class before the Christmas break, and you needed it. Home, shower, dinner, bed. That sounded about right.

However, looking around the room, all you could see was paint, glitter and glue strewn all over the large table in the centre of the room and all over the floor. There was even mess on the underside of the table. 

How?! How do kids manage to do this?

When the local Church was calling for volunteers to help out with arts classes for children at the Community Centre, you were all for it. It’ll be fun, give a little back, make a difference to kids maybe? That’s what Christmas is about, right?

You’d even talked a couple of your friends into helping too. 

But how wrong you felt. All your Saturday evenings had been filled with since, were scrubbing wax crayon off every available surface, trying desperately to get poster paint out of your clothes (some of the kids were wild with a paintbrush), stopping little ones from attempting to eat PVA glue and making sure they created art on paper and NOT each others faces.

You didn’t mean to moan, but it was super draining and you began to wonder if you were actually getting anything out of this. And if you were making a difference at all for the kids themselves.

Ugh, anyway, the sooner I get this cleaned up, the sooner I can get home.

As you began to collect the supplies off the table, you suddenly heard loud shouting coming from outside the door. Out of pure curiosity, you stopped what you were doing and followed the raucous.

As you walked down the corridor and turned the corner into the assembly hall, you saw two of your friends reenacting, what seemed like, a scene from a medieval drama. They were so deep in character, they didn’t even notice you entering.

‘I now appoint you... LORD HAECHAN!!’ Mark’s voice echoed through the large hall. He was holding a plastic sword, tapping it once on each of Haechan’s shoulders. ‘ARISEEEEE!!’ 

‘Now that I am a Lord.. I CHALLENGE YOU!!’ Haechan pulled another plastic sword from his side and pointed it toward Mark.

‘Dude! I thought we were friends,’ Mark responded with mock shock and disappointment.

‘You thought wrong!!!’ Haechan shouted as he slowly charged at Mark. 

The two of them were now having the slowest dual you think you’ve ever seen. They were slow-mo fighting, knocking the swords together until Haechan plunged his underneath Mark’s arm. 

Mark's fake death was certainly dramatic. He fell backwards onto the floor, reaching a hand out toward Haechan.

'It.. didn't ha..have to e-end like, th..this,' he stuttered as he continued to sink to the floor.

'Of course it did,' Haechan declared, 'you killed my father!' Sword pointed at Mark's face. We're now in Star Wars, it seems.

'No Haechan... I AM YOUR FATHERRRR!!'

'NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!' Haechan fell to his knees.

What a sight. Your two friends were now on the floor, shrieking at the top of their lungs.

Haechan staggered to his feet, you felt an epic monologue coming on.

'What have I don.. Ah! My Queen! You have arrived.' Oh no, he's spotted you. ‘Look, you even sparkle!’ Haechan pointed to your hair, and you realised you had rouge bits of glitter stuck to some strands.

You crossed your arms, 'You guys know that you’re knighted with swords, not made into a Lord?’

‘Details, details Y/N,’ Haechan dismissed your grumpy comment with a wave of his hand.

You continued none the less, ‘and aren't you two supposed to be music teachers? What's with the props today?' You looked around the hall, scattered, were all sorts of musical instruments, but the swords were a new edition. 

‘That’s where you’re wrong, Y/N.’ Mark had risen off of the floor and took Haechan’s sword. ‘Where you see Lord’s swords, we see... music.’

‘Music,’ Haechan whispered to you, mimicking Mark’s words.

Whilst Mark was beating the swords against the stage, like he was playing the drums, Haechan was busting moves, b-boying around the hall with Mark’s encouragement.

These clowns, they’d certainly cheered you up this evening.

‘Well, have fun you guys, I’m gonna go and scrape glue off of scissors.’ You turned around and headed back to your messy classroom.

Twenty minutes of tidying later, Haechan came bounding through the door, ‘Ta-daaa!’ He sang as he landed in the room, arms spread, ‘get it, Y/N?.. I leapt.. like a Lord.. a leaping Lord?’ 

‘You were a knight..’ 

‘Details Y/N!!’ Haechan once again dismissed your correction. ‘You’ll make me regret coming to help you.’ He immediately started to organise pens, making sure all of them had the right colour tops. One thing you could always rely on, is Haechan’s ability to tidy. 

‘Well, if that’s the case, thank you. Lord Haechan,’ you smiled, he smiled and everything wasn’t as gloomy as it seemed twenty minutes ago.

Not long after, the room was finally beginning to look the way it had originally. As the last boxes of paint bottles and felt pens were put in their rightful place, Haechan noticed something left on one of the chairs.

‘Y/N, I think this is for you,’ he held out a beautiful picture of a Christmas tree, with your name spelled out in bright red glitter.

Dear Miss Y/N, Merry Christmas! Thank you for being my teacher. Love, Yuna.

Well wasn’t that the cutest thing? Yuna was one of the more shy children in your class, but she was so kind and sweet. She must’ve been a little too timid to give this to you herself, so she’d left it behind for you. 

‘Still think you don’t make a difference?’ Haechan asked in the quiet room.

You’d made it no secret to Haechan that you had been struggling with your classes.

‘I don’t know.. maybe,’ you kept looking at the picture. ‘I mean, I know they’re really good kids. I just wanna be a positive influence you know. I guess, sometimes I don’t feel like they really need me.’

Haechan pulled up a chair, knowing that just by listening to you, he was helping you clear your mind. You mirrored him and sat down.

When you really thought about it, every thank you Miss, every see you next week Miss and every Miss, look at this! meant something to you.

‘They really are awesome, messy, but awesome. Like, today, Gongchan helped Sungjae hold his scissors correctly. And, Dasom helped Umji mix paints together so she could get the perfect shade of pink...’ 

You couldn’t help but smile as you remembered all the times your class had cared for each other. And in turn, all the times you’d cared for them. Like when Yuna needed encouragement when she didn’t think her drawing was very good or when you drew a dot-to-dot to help Sehun write his own name on his work. 

Little things.

‘See?’ Haechan said, almost reading your thoughts.

‘See what?’ You looked at him, confused.

‘You need them, as much as they need you. You shouldn’t doubt yourself Y/N, I’ve seen you with those kids. They love you and you love them, that’s what making a difference is about.’

‘Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?’ You were stunned, but so thankful that you could call him that. ‘You’re proud of that one, aren’t you?’  

‘Naturally,’ he smirked, ‘they don’t call me Lord Haechan for nothing!’ He leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, feeling smug.

‘No one calls you that,’ you said as you got up and tucked your chair under the table.

‘You did.’ 

‘Touché.’ He had you there.  

As you both got ready to grab your stuff before leaving the Centre, Haechan made an offer that you couldn’t refuse.

‘Wanna come over to my house tonight? Mom’s making Samgyeopsal. Food of the LORDSSSS.’

Oh wow, how many times am I gonna hear that over Christmas?... A lot.

[sparklingichigo]

Drama Intensifies

Part 7

Meanwhile, Haruka does a ritual to get back to her birthland, summoning the Crystal God specifically. By summoning God Gabrant they can go to Haruka's birthland which is Castle Deist.

God Gabrant: What have you summoned me for, princess?

Haruka: I need to go to return to my birthland soon, my current location will have a war soon and I might need help from everyone there.

God Gabrant: I see, and who's this [eyes Simeon]

Simeon: ... I-

Haruka: He's one of the angels here but he wants to accompany me in case something happens. I'll just disguise him as a friend of mine.

God Gabrant: I see...that makes sense. I'll start the portal soon and you'll be there without you know it!

Haruka instantly holds Simeon's hand so he won't get lost and enters the crystal-like portal. Around 20 minutes, they finally landed in Castle of Deist because there's a lot of other portals and it's a really long journey.

Simeon: Whoa! There are lots of realms here!

Haruka: It is, but we're landing there!

The two finally land on an empty land with grass. Simeon is of course confused because it's a new realm for him.

Haruka: Lead the way, Gabran!

Gabrant finally leads them to the castle, they have to go through every obstacle there is. Examples, the scorching hot sun, a long way full of long grass, hills and mountains, and many other things like monsters. :) Haha rip.

Simeon: W-wait are we even in the right place? Are you sure this is your birthland?

Haruka: Yeah, we can trust Gabrant! Oh by the way Gabrant, can I ask you a favor?

God Gabrant: Of course! What do you need?

Haruka: Can you please change Simeon's appearance so he can adjust to this place?

God Gabrant: Hmmm I can disguise him as a white mage.

With that, Simeon transforms into a white mage, a grey outfit, and a staff to complete the look.

Simeon: Oh, this is a new look!

Haruka: Well, you have to be disguised so you won't be suspected, people here are quite cautious with intruders...

Simeon: True.

God Gabrant: Well I have to go soon if you have any help just call me.

Haruka: Okay!

Just like that, Gabrant disappears while Haruka and Simeon continue on their journey back to their destination. As they were walking, Simeon starts asking Haruka about her weaponry since they're in a very dangerous place.

Simeon: Hey, Haruka, where's your weapon? Magic by chance?

Haruka: Oh well, I can summon my weapon automatically when there are monsters around!

Simeon: Ah, alright then^^

Speak of the devil, monsters just appear out of nowhere, probably to attack them since they are intruders, also because Haruka is a royal. So a battle has started between them. Haruka's weapon instantly comes out which is a sword made out of gold, luckily it was powerful enough to defeat those monsters. Simeon is still adjusting to his disguise, so yeah, good luck Simeon.

Simeon: Wait what do I do?! What do I do with this staff?!

Haruka: I- Okay- [teaches him while still fighting the monsters]

Simeon: Ooooh verbal magic! That's cool!

After a few trials, Simeon can finally use the staff properly and somehow can combine elements, he just found out, he has no idea how it happened.

Simeon: o-o how did that happen-

Haruka: Whatever that is, it's working!

Monster: [growls in anger and attacks them again]

Simeon: Oh no-;-; [trying to defend them from the monsters]

Haruka: Use the magnet magic! Magnega!!

Simeon: O-Okay! [doing exactly that]

As soon as Simeon uses that magic, the monster Simeon is dealing with got sucked in and disappear in just seconds. After that, the two of them went on with their journey. Because it's so long, Haruka ends up calling a creature named Chocobo, a horse-sized chicken that can take them on long journeys. Simeon of course is shocked by the size of the Chocobo.

Simeon: o.o that's a large chicken!

Haruka: Well yeah^^ We can also use them in battle!

Simeon: Really? :o

Haruka: Yeah, come on! Get on!

Simeon: O-okay- [gets on the Chocobo and well the Chocobo panics because it doesn't know who Simeon is-]

Simeon: W-why is it panicking?! What do I do?!

Haruka: Chocobo, stay calm! It's fine! He's just a friend of mine, he's with me!

Chocobo: [confused chicken noises]

Simeon: Yeah....I'm her- DONT DROP ME!!

Haruka: [facepalms]

After more calming down the chicken and Simeon finally getting on them successfully, the two finally arrive at the castle's gate. It was a beautiful castle with a big wall surrounding it and a bridge to reach the entrance.

Haruka: DAAAAAD I'M HOOOOOMMMEEEE!!!

Simeon: ....

Guard 1 : [looks at the noise] Your Highness! You're home!

Guard 2: ....who is this? [looks at Simeon in suspicion]

Simeon: .... [gives them a polite nod]

Haruka: He's a friend of mine, I met him on one of my journeys!

Guard 1: I see, I'll inform the King and Queen! OPEN THE GATES!!!

Guard 2 : [opening the gates]

The two finally enter the castle to meet the King and Queen with Guard 1 as their guide. As they go to the castle, the people around them suddenly surround Haruka despite the guards telling them not to.

Guard 1: Your highness, you shouldn't-

Haruka: Are you new?! I'm usually allowed to meet my people!

Child: Your highness! I miss you a lot! [crying out of happiness] Here's a welcome back gift from me! [shows a freshly picked flower]

Haruka: Aww thank you! That's so sweet of you! [accepts the flower] here's one for you, Simeon^^ [gives one to him]

Simeon: Thank you^^

Woman: Ooh! That's a really handsome companion you have! Who is he? How did you meet him? Is there something going on between you two?

Guard 3 : [comes out of the castle to stop them] She'll be answering those questions soon^^ For now they have to meet the King and Queen.

Finally, the two of them enter the castle, the Chocobos are now put in their cage by the guards, and Haruka with Simeon enters the throne room to meet the King and Queen. Of course, Simeon gives a bow to the King and Queen because of politeness meanwhile Haruka is just standing there.

Haruka: Sup, Dad.

Assistant: [looks up in shock]

Haruka: I mean, greetings father^^ [does a courtesy]

King: Where did you go?! Who taught you such a lowly language?!

Haruka: [laughs nervously] hehe...

Queen: It's fine, my love. It's not a big deal. Welcome home, sweetheart.

Haruka: Mother^^

Haruka: Oh by the way... I need to meet some of our finest knights around so a strategy discussion.

King: .... So sudden? What happened?

Haruka: There's an attack in my friends' land and I want to help them.

King: A friend.... is this one of them? [eyes Simeon]. Young man, please introduce yourself!

Simeon: O-of course, your majesty! My name's Simeon and I'm from the celestial realm, I met her on one of her journeys to the Celestial realm.

King: I see.... so this "celestial realm" is under an attack?

Simeon: It is, your majesty. There will be an attack against all three realms, the celestial realm, devildom, and earth.

King: Oh? A country with three cities. Interesting...

As the King and Simeon are discussing what's happening, Haruka decides to go to the meeting room to call all her friends who are knights and discussing about the problem she's facing.

King: Alright, you may go. I'm sure to provide as much help as possible.

Simeon: Thank you so much, your majesty. [bows down and goes to the meeting room]

As soon as Simeon enters the meeting room he's shocked by the sudden appearance of the meeting room, but lowkey impressed.

Warrior of Light: Greetings. ^^

Simeon: o-o

Haruka: Simeon, are you okay?

Simeon: .... who are they and how did they get here?

Haruka: They're my friends and I use hologram magic so we can talk.

Simeon: I see... [pokes the hologram out of curiosity]

Cloud: ... Wtf- [dodges it]

Simeon: Aaa I'm sorry;-; I don't mean to do that-

Haruka: ....Simeon, there's an empty chair. You can sit there.

Simeon: Oh, right! [sits on that empty chair]

So the discussion begins and they all finally agree to help her and Simeon against this battle. But because of Gabrant's disappearance and won't be appearing for a while, they need to stay there for a while.

Zidane: By the way, how did you meet this guy? [points at Simeon]

Haruka: It's a long story^^

Zidane: Oh come on! Tell us!

Bartz: Yeah, come on! Tell us!

Haruka: [sigh] Oh alright...

Haruka ends up telling them about how she meet Simeon while Simeon is a blushing mess because Haruka even tells them about the engagement.

Noctis: An engagement I see, interesting^^

Haruka: Yeah, he even proposed to me by a fountain! It's so romantic!!

Onion Knight: Cloud, you okay?

Cloud: [wents offline lmao]

Noctis: A sulky one as always^^

Zidane: This tea is hot though, go on, Crystalia!

Tina: [sips tea] It seems to me that he's jealous^^

Cloud: [wents back online] I'm not! Shut it!

Tina: Really? Prove it :))

Warrior of Light: [sigh in I'm too old for this]

Onion Knight: Anyways, just continue! What else?!

Haruka: There's also a kid in his house, his name is Luke I believe...

Cloud: You're engaged to a widower?!

Noctis: :(( Hey! Don't judge them!

Simeon: What do you mean by that?

Cloud: I mean, you have a kid and you're single :))

Simeon: I am certain that I haven't been married yet!

Cloud: An adopted child, unfertile perhaps?

Simeon, internally: Lord give me strength-

Shantoto: [facepalms] youngsters these days [shakes her head]

Warrior of Light: If you two gonna fight, I suggest doing it outside or maybe later when we actually meet- ^^ [angry smile]

Yuna: But sir, we're holograms-

Cloud: Well I'm certainly going to that castle right now-

Haruka: Wait, wait, wait! No! Why don't you just focus all that anger on our battle? Isn't that a good idea?

Cloud:...

Cecil: Hey that's actually a good idea!

Yshtola: Or you two can just settle this in the most civil way so we can actually work together!

Vahn and Noctis: [eats snacks in the background as they watch Simeon and Cloud keeps on arguing]

Warrior of Light: ....please eat properly. You are a noble kind!

Noctis: [casually eats near the mic]

Vahn: [ends up laughing because it's funny]

Shantoto: [sigh] Youngsters these days! Your highness, are you sure we want to invite these kids to our battle?

Haruka: Luke is also in battle I believe, so it's alright, Ma'am^^

Shantoto: [cringes because this is not how noble people usually act]

Warrior of Light: Well since we're done with the discussion. I suggest ending this meeting right now, Princess Elevia. [said this in annoyance]

As soon as he said that, the room went silent, even Cloud and the teen nobles. But suddenly they hear a tea slurping.

Tina: What? I'm thirsty and this mic is literally in front of me!

Haruka: Alright then^^ that's all for today. See you guys in the next meeting!

Just like that, everyone goes offline and this leaves Simeon and Haruka in that room. Simeon of course is still a little agitated with how Cloud treats him.

Haruka: Hey Simeon, wanna go on a tour?

Simeon: Sure^^

[ehentha]

Maldives Twitter wakes up to a fever dream where everyone is Ali Rameez

At 12AM on Friday the 23rd of November 2018, a whole bunch of Maldivian twitter users changed their profile pictures to the one above. It shows a young Ali Rameez leaning back, relaxing his head against his arm. The incident is referred to by some as #NationalAyyaDay.

This is a bipartisan effort, okay? Whether you’re a snowflake or a YAG supporter or a feminist or a humanist, please come together for this one day so we can all celebrate the greatest Maldivian singer of all time: Ali Rameez. Happy #NationalAyyaDay! ♥️

— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 22, 2018

Mass confusion spread as everyone’s notifications looked the same.

Yup, giving up on trying to figure out who is who.

— Azzam Pompi Mohamed (@Pompeee) November 23, 2018

To make things worse, many users changed their names to song lyrics by the one time Maldivian king of pop. There was once a time when you could not walk two feet in the Maldives without hearing one of his songs on the TV or radio. I’d post more screenshots of the incident, but most people have already changed their pictures and names back. Guess the world can only take so much Ayya.

Of course I say one time because Ali Rameez is currently a violent extremist “sheikh” who constantly spreads hate and fear speech against Maldivian minorities such as non-Muslims and LGBTI+ people. While being a massive sexist of course. On top of this, he also regularly promotes such lovely things as child marriage.

In the above screenshot, the Dhivehi text reads “Islam dheenun beyru vejje meehaa; gathul kuraasheve’”, which roughly translates to “Slaughter those who leave Islam”. The first comment below it reads “It is best if such children move to a country where they can get the freedoms that they want. No space for atheist in this country”. It doesn’t take a genius to see how this encourages vigilante violence against non-Muslims. I suppose it is also worth pointing out again for the thousandth time that the Maldives is one of the few countries in the world whose constitution bans freedom of conscience. Ali Rameez promotes these views on his official twitter account and his facebook page, where he also pimps out his extremist buddies from religious NGOs like Jammaiyathul Salaf.

With all this in mind, it shouldn’t be surprising to anyone that Ali Rameez hates his pop star past. He did famously dump all of his CD’s into the ocean after all.

Is singer/songwriter Ali Rameez and haabee Ali Rameez the same person? 🤔

— Refty (@Refty) November 23, 2018

So while people took the opportunity to mock / celebrate him by sharing his music and reminiscing about the days when he wasn't a psychopath, others took the opportunity to gaslight Maldivian minorities by claiming that the good sheikh was being bullied.

we advocate for tolerance and acceptance yet we are intolerant to those that have an understanding different to us. I really don't believe @aliramyz should be bullied and bashed like this. This has gone beyond a simple friendly joke. This needs to stop.

— Ghaanim (@Qhaany) November 23, 2018

This kind of gaslighting is typical from “liberal” Maldivians who fall head over heels to defend extremists yet never utter a single word in support of Maldivian minorities whose very existence is criminalized. As such I am sure these people are not ignorant of Ali Rameez’s extremism. Instead I think they are sympathetic. I think extremists like that say what these people are afraid of saying. What they really think.

You will never get any of these people to admit whether they support something as basic as freedom of conscience. However they will rarely admit they don’t support it either. Instead, they will prop up the extremists who have the courage to actually express such darkness. This is why I respect honest extremists who will say to my face that they want to kill me. I have no respect at all to closet conservatives like this who pretend to sit on a fence while they crap on minorities below. It is not an equal conversation when one side has their existence criminalized.

“liberal extremism” is a thing

— Shani �� (@shani1i) November 23, 2018

Can you believe the audacity of such a statement from people who do not think their fellow Maldivians deserve constitutional recognition?

Wait till you are bashed and joked about for saying this.

— Mushfiga Waheed (@MushfigaWaheed) November 23, 2018

Comments like this one are referring to an incident in the past when a woman on twitter made extremely homophobic remarks. For once a lot of people on Maldivian twitter called out this woman for her blatantly bigoted remarks. Not this crowd of closet conservatives though. Much like this incident, back then they sided with the bigot being roasted. How could you bully such an innocent person they all decried.

This past event, and the common occurrence of conservatives and extremists to claim to be victims of “bullying”, is what has led to the creation of the local meme of “bleeing”.

stop bleeing ayya 😭😭 stop bleeing his extremist opinions 😭😭😭 stop admiring his flawless voice 😭😭😭 SAY NO TO BLEEING 😩 https://t.co/Bg2lymNMtV

— imran (@imlatheef) November 23, 2018

This type of gaslighting would be funny if it wasn’t the norm. Gaslighting, for those unfamiliar, is when an oppressor makes a person doubt their own memories and self. It is a common tactic used by abusive people against their partners. Wikipedia defines it as “a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or in members of a targeted group, making them question their own memory, perception, and sanity. “

They states that the signs of gaslighting are:

Withholding information from victim;

Countering information to fit the abuser's perspective;

Discounting information;

Verbal abuse, usually in the form of jokes;

Blocking and diverting the victim's attention from outside sources;

Trivializing the victim's worth; and,

Undermining victim by gradually weakening them and their thought process.

When have he ever advocated killing anyone he deems as infidels? Any reference?

— Mohamed Allam Naeem (@8laam) November 23, 2018

Observe this clear example from a tweet calling the original one out.

When he is okay with underage marriage. When he blames the rape victim always. These are the different views you talk about? Yes. I do have a problem with that.

— 𝕲𝖎𝖗𝖑 𝕴𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖗𝖚𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖉 (@Thathu182) November 24, 2018

Look at the response above. Ali Rameez is well known for blaming rape victims and his support for child marriage. Yet the original tweet dismisses this as having a “different understanding”.

It’s nice that everyone’s having a bit of fun. But do try to keep in mind that @aliramyz thinks it’s okay to marry 13 year olds, promotes violent jihad, is a core member of Jamiyyathul Salaf, and advocates the death penalty for those he considers laadheenee.

— Mohamed Shuraih (@MohamedShuraih) November 23, 2018

The day led to some clashes within the more progressive parts (relative to the Taliban) of Maldivian twitter as well, with some people thinking that the incident downplayed Ali Rameez’s extremism.

Just for fun, would you put a pedo on your Twitter DP? I don't think so. kthnksbye

— @waddey (@waddey) November 23, 2018

Isn't Ali Rameez known for his extremist religious views? 🤔 Love his songs but finding it strange to be so obsessed with him given who he is now.

— 🍞🌹 (@kopitaaaa) November 23, 2018

Some responses from the twitter cult leader responsible for this madness:

Haha hello my cult, what else should I do today after renouncing feminism and supporting Ali Rameez’s extremism, might fuck around and drop all my morals and principles and become someone N E W

— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 23, 2018

I would also like to tell you it’s not only Ali Rameez’s beautiful voice that mesmerizes me, it’s also his promotion of extremism (obviously), and presence in Jamiyyathul Salad (OBVIOUSLY) also in other news @imlatheef hates Ariana Grande 😭😭

— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 23, 2018

Kindly fuck off and let people fucking enjoy today, good lord! 😂 People woke up to an abundance of Ali Rameezs on their TL today, that is fucking AMAZING that it was pulled off. An, miothy than thanah thadhuvaa kudhinnah khaassa lavayeh ♥️https://t.co/hw61dHt1Jf

— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 23, 2018

Now that we’ve dealt with the drama and my existential bitterness, here are some of the funnier tweets from the day:

Kaia asking me the name of a random internet cat that popped up on my timeline. Told her the first name that popped into my mind. Ali Rameez. Thanks, twitter.

— EhJu (@EhJu) November 23, 2018

If you people don’t get sarcasm that’s really on you at this point. Brb listening to Nudhaashe Mage Loabiva for the 50th time today. :) https://t.co/TOb4K9xIaO

— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 23, 2018

Brain reading the entire timeline in Ali Rameez voice. Ali: I'm no one's crush. Ali: this cabinet is bullshit. Ali: here's a cat. Ali: I'd rather use tampons but they're too expensive W E I R D

— EhJu (@EhJu) November 23, 2018

me, before and after listening to ali rameez’s emotional masterpiece maruvedhaaney maadhamaa gaimey pic.twitter.com/AzhMts5nDO

— imran (@imlatheef) November 23, 2018

#NationalAyyaDay Ayya: Capitalising on his Freeze Band to make a Freeze Brand!

— Yuna Waheed 🎈❓ (@YuAeKito) November 23, 2018

Ali Rameez towards the end of his music career was in a band called “Freeze Band”. Once he gave up music, he capitalized on this by creating “Freeze Brand” - a company that sells dried fish and other products. Gotta admit that some of their stuff is pretty delicious though.

Ali Rameez and me in the same frame #happiestmoment 😂 pic.twitter.com/kfdXFccxCx

— ⚫️⚪️TEDRY🎈❓ (@tedry) November 23, 2018

With all these Ali Rameez songs floating around, I’m sad I haven’t seen a single “Bunebala ladhu ganefaa erey”. Definitely one of my favourites. #NationalAyyaDay

— Shubbi (@shubaadam) November 23, 2018

On this auspicious day I was just blessed to see Ali Rameez on the road. 😱😱😱😱

— S-laughter (@heyshaha) November 23, 2018

I give up on checking who’s who, I’m liking everything in bulk now

— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 22, 2018

I can't pic.twitter.com/BmK40l9i3f

— Saaif Shiyad 🇲🇻 (@SaaifShiyad) November 22, 2018

Ayya had moves. #NationalAyyaDay pic.twitter.com/TT8s4o8mjQ

— immi 🐑 (@immimmii) November 22, 2018

The other day at uni i saw ali rameez and randomly started singing “dhanee dhanee” bc obviously i was leaving the uni

— salty (@thelulifaiyy) November 22, 2018

the first time ali rameez looked at me. i was walking on sosun magu with a friend when we saw ali rameez and involuntarily shouted “EY ALI RAMEEEZ”. he looked, but looked away even faster. 😥#NationalAyyaDay

— Naura 🇲🇻 (@ayshathnaura) November 23, 2018

Since @ShafaRameez wanted me to do this so badly, like this tweet and I'll be brutally honest about your Twitter profile picture.

— Mi dhehiy vaathee, loabin gulhifaa (@haesham) November 23, 2018

Tb to the time i made eye contact with Ayya for a split second while eating pani puri @ the place infront of Iskandhar. He was having tea and looked away at the speed of light. Ma iny anga haluvan ves neyngifa

— KirimJehiBanas (@meynakambulo) November 23, 2018

The best part about this is how much I hate Ali Rameez and he still hasn't blocked me.

— San (@dontcallmesatan) November 23, 2018

Did you call him a finifenmaa ?

— Althaf🎈؟ (@AlthafAli_) November 23, 2018

pic.twitter.com/hbrqaLvwh0

— Musal (@FoniLunbo) November 23, 2018

The cat is screaming out lyrics to one of Ali Rameez’s hit songs “Finifenmalakey” (like a rose).

At the end I listened to all the heart broken Ali Rameez songs and now I feel like I have fallen out of love, hard. 😭💔 https://t.co/eVnWk4tmgQ

— Azzam Pompi Mohamed (@Pompeee) November 23, 2018

legends say people are still trying to get over the double vision of ayya from their twitter feeds 🤣🤣

— Awhosun (@awhosun) November 23, 2018

Marinating a chicken with bae. It's so hot man

— Shady 🎈❓ (@shadyfish) November 23, 2018

Ali Rameez had a particularly saucy hit video where he sensuously marinates a chicken with a beautiful woman. Probably one of the sources of his paranoia about his past sins.

#NationalAyyaDay, a day to honor the legendary Maldivian singer @aliramyz 🙏 pic.twitter.com/dTtVKU1WTw

— 🙏 آدم محمد (@Adamiington) November 23, 2018

I’d like to point out the fact that @semiicold has had his photo way before this started and I didn’t see it till after @FoniLunbo suggested this photo so a round of applause for him because we’re living in 2018 and he’s living in 3018. We stan! 👏🏾

— KeehveFA (@ShafaRameez) November 22, 2018

[p-artsypants]

I Do...I Guess? (Part  One)

The Proposal

FF.net | Ao3.com

I got a craving to replay FFX again for the first time in like ten years. To be honest, I forgot a bunch of stuff (not to mention that I never finished it in the first place.) 

I’m recently engaged, and as I was playing this game, my brain kept saying ‘how would this scene be different if Yuna and Tidus were married?’

So I decided to write it. 

I didn’t want to rehash the whole story completely, so it diverts a bit and I skipped some scenes that I felt would have been the same in canon. Hope you enjoy! 

--

It felt good to laugh. Right. Like they weren’t on a mission to save the world. Like they weren’t trying to stop a hellish reincarnation of his father. 

Like they were a bunch of friends, having fun on a road trip. 

Yuna looked at him, eyes filled with tears from their laughter. Most of her smiles so far had been strained, or just an act. But this was joy. Pure, real joy. 

His fake, psychotic laugh had echoed over Luca, and at first she couldn’t stand the absurdity of it. 

But only a few minutes later, when they both frantically tried to catch their breaths, Yuna realized what she was missing. 

Someone who wasn’t afraid to be a little silly. Someone who wasn’t afraid to be a little rude or wild, even in the face of propriety of Yevon. 

It was a good feeling. 

She smiled at him. “I like you, Tidus.” 

The blunt phrase hit him like a bullet, straight to his heart. “I uh uh...like you too?” And he did. Maybe a little too much for the comfort of his fellow guardians. But getting Yuna’s approval felt good at least. It was nice to know she liked him, and she wasn’t just tolerating him as Wakka’s lost duckling. 

Well, she had agreed to make him a guardian, hadn’t she? That had to count for something. 

She nodded once, a determined look on her face. “Wait here a second, okay?” 

“Oooookay?” 

She walked over to where the others were standing, watching with faces of confusion and mild horror. 

“What?” Called Tidus. 

“We were just wondering if you two had finally lost it!” Wakka called back. 

Tidus didn’t get a chance to reply as Yuna beckoned Wakka into a huddle with the others. 

She talked too softly for him to hear, back to him, and hands held tightly to her chest. No indication of what this was all about. 

But they all gasped together, obviously shocked at something she had to say. 

Something about him? What? Did she want to make him super guardian or something? Did he get promoted already? 

Each and every guardian took a second to look at him, eyes narrowed in a glare of scrutiny. 

Aw crap. What did he do wrong this time?

They all seemed to come to an agreement, as they nodded solemnly. 

When Yuna returned, her face was red, and her eyes wouldn’t meet his. 

“Yuna?” 

“I would...like to ask you something.” 

“Shoot.” 

“It may be sudden, and a little strange...” 

“As has my whole journey been so far. Nothing new for me.” 

“Well...if it’s not too much...I’d like to ask you...to marry me.” 

“M-m-marry?!” He stuttered, taking a full step back. “Wh-what? How? Why?!” 

“You can say no!” She insisted. “It’s just that...summoners typically have a family, or a next of kin. My parents are gone, and I have no siblings. Lulu, Wakka, and Kimahri feel like siblings to me, but in the eyes of Yevon, they’re only friends. I’d like to...take you as my husband. Officially.” 

“That...makes sense...but why me?” 

Her face turned redder. “I told you I liked you...” 

“I didn’t know you meant it that way.” 

Yuna looked ready to cry. “You can still say no. And nothing will change! You can still be my guardian. It’s just that...the temples get really touchy about guardians of the opposite sex staying in the same room with the summoner if they aren’t related or married. Lulu thinks it would be safer...” she covered her mouth. “I’m sorry! I don’t want to pressure you! This is up to you, and I don’t want to twist your arm!” 

Tidus laughed. Not at her, of course, just the situation in general. It was a hollow laugh, one that betrayed how he felt. 

She blushed again, this time in embarrassment. “It’s not a joke...” 

Tidus took a deep breath. “No, it’s not. I’m sorry, I was just...a little shocked. Are you sure? I mean, I’m trying to get back to Zanarkand. If you don’t think I will ever get there, and so you’re taking a chance on me...” 

She shook her head. “I don’t know if you’ll go back. If you do, I’d like to go with you.” She bit her lip and looked away from him. “Truth is...I haven’t ever felt this way about someone before. I felt it the day we met, too. And it’s only grown stronger every time you made me laugh.” She bravely met his eyes. “I don’t know what the future holds for us. But this is something I can control. Something that I can choose. And I choose you. If you’ll have me.” 

Tidus scratched his head, torn. Yuna was amazing. Wonderful, beautiful, sweet, and kind. Not to mention wickedly talented as a summoner. 

But Sin. His father. Zanarkand. Would she still pick him if she knew? 

“This is your decision,” said Auron. “It doesn’t need to be rushed.”

“The next temple is Djose,” added Wakka. “It’s a ways away. But you have until then to decide. That’s the soonest we can get someone to perform the ceremony.” 

Yuna looked small. Smaller than he had ever seen her before. And it was his fault. “Hey,” he said, grasping her shoulder. “My hesitation isn’t because of you.” 

She looked at him, hope in her eyes. 

“I do like you. Kind of like you said you liked me. I noticed it a while ago, but didn’t think it was...wise to entertain it. Any man would be lucky to take you as a...wife.” He struggled with the word. “But, I just need a little time to think. I want to do what’s right. I don’t want to be a hindrance on your pilgrimage.” 

“Oh you won’t be!” Yuna insisted. 

“Yuna,” Auron stepped in. “What if...you beat Sin, and he goes back home? Would your marriage matter?” 

Yuna was quiet a moment. “I always wanted to be a summoner. Ever since I was a child. Just like my father. Marriage was a pipe dream. I know I won’t get that domestic life that everyone dreams about. But if I could entertain it, for a little while, I think it would be worth it.” 

“Who said you can’t have domestic bliss?” Asked Tidus. “Say I agree. You defeat Sin. I don’t go home. Then what? We bask in the glory of your success and return to Besaid. Or wherever you want to settle.” 

Everyone was silent, not making eye contact. 

“I mean, I have faith that we can beat Sin. I’m just saying that fantasizing about the future could be fun.” 

Lulu spoke up. “Perhaps it’s best if you thought things over. We understand where Yuna is coming from. If you want to talk things through a little more, just ask.” 

Auron nodded. “But we can talk on the road. We should get going.” 

All talk of betrothal behind them for now, the group ascended the stairs and stepped onto the plains. 

Everyone moved on, the air a mixture of tense silence and feigned normalcy. 

Tidus hung in the back, away from Yuna, feeling like the scum of the earth. 

Auron walked beside him, that mysterious quiet following him. 

“I messed up, didn’t I?” 

“She sprung that proposal on all of us. Your reaction was normal.” 

“What am I supposed to do? You know what’s going on better than anyone else. What with...Jecht and Sin. You told me not to tell her. So what’s the right thing to do?” 

“Yuna cares deeply for you. I knew it the moment I saw you together.” 

“Oh, like you’re some sort of love expert?” 

“Not a bit. But Yuna is easy to read.” 

“Yeah...she is.” 

“And you didn’t notice?” 

“It’s different when it’s you, you know?” 

“You’re just oblivious.” 

“Am not!” 

“And immature. Definitely not marriage material.” 

“Now you’re just being mean.” 

“You’re just being sensitive.” 

“Rude.” 

They fell into silence then, just following Wakka and Lulu’s lead. 

“Tidus.” He spoke softly.

“Hm?”

“Yuna is Lord Braska’s daughter.” 

“Correct.” 

“The honor of defeating Sin would make her a legend. That honor is something she’s willing to share with you.” 

“I mean, I was planning on helping her anyway. I don’t need the glory.” 

“Then I anticipate you’re a lot less selfish then some other men in this world.” 

“I...don’t follow.” 

Auron exhaled, patiently rewording his explanation. “If you don’t wed her, there’s a chance someone else would try to do so. And they might not be in it for the right reasons.” 

“...so, you’re saying I should say yes?” 

“You wanted guidance. Isn’t that why you’re walking so far back?” 

“I do want guidance. I’ve only been in Spira for a week, and I’ve already been proposed to. How’s a guy supposed to handle that?” 

He sighed. “I don’t want to screw things up for Yuna. I want to help, but if everything that I am...if what he is makes everything wrong...and it’s too late to back out, I would feel awful.” 

“Sin’s identity won’t matter. None of this will matter in the end.” 

“In the end?” 

“Once she calls the Final Aeon. Her pilgrimage is over, and it won’t matter. Being married to you, whether you stay on Spira or not, is irrelevant.” 

“If I do go back in the end, will Yuna be able to marry again? Is that legal here? Dumb question, I know...” 

“It’s legal. But she probably won’t.” 

“And she’s okay with that?” 

“Yuna knows all the consequences of her decisions. She may be naïve and hopeful, but she isn’t ignorant.” 

Before the conversation could progress, there was a growl from the tall grass before a wolf fiend leapt from its hiding place, and the guardians fell into battle. 

—

Next on the chopping block was Wakka. 

Or rather, he was the chopper, and Tidus the choppee.

He grabbed Tidus by the head, forcing his face into his armpit and nooging his head. “I told you not to go getting any ideas!” 

Tidus nearly puked, but broke out of the grapple before he could die. “And I told you no promises!” He wiped his face with his sleeve. “It’s not my fault I’m ridiculously charming.” 

Wakka huffed, “‘Ridiculously charming’ yeah right. I saw you talking on the boat. You were flirting with her!” 

“If being nice and talking to her is flirting here, then I don’t want to know what my actual flirting game looks like in your eyes.” 

Wakka rubbed the back of his head. “I should have seen this coming. Yuna doesn’t know a lot of boys her age. It was only a matter of time before she got a crush on you.”

“So because I’m her age, and around, she was bound to like me? Is that what you’re saying? Really?” 

“...you’re right. That makes Yuna sound shallow. Still...I wish it hadn’t been you.” 

“Wow, thanks a lot man. Didn’t know you had such a poor opinion of me.” 

Wakka groaned loudly, catching the attention of everyone else. He waved them on, and pulled Tidus back a little further. “You’re cool, dude. Honest. I just...do you remember the story of Lady Yunalesca and Lord Zaon?” 

“No.” 

“Well, Lady Yunalesca is the first summoner to ever defeat Sin. And she did it with her guardian, her lover and husband Lord Zaon at her side. It’s a love story that everyone fantasizes about having one day. Yuna has the capabilities to be just like Lady Yunalesca. But you...you’re no Lord Zaon.” 

“So? Maybe a Lord Zaon isn’t what she needs.” 

“What she needs is someone to support her. Someone who knows what’s going on, who doesn’t need her to hold their hand and explain everything to. I’m really not trying to be mean, brother, but that Sin toxin messing with your head is a major point against you.” 

Tidus understood exactly what he was talking about. He had gotten in plenty of hot water with people when he flubbed up some religious practice. Even simple questions were treated like heresy. 

If you couldn’t ask questions about your faith, and you just followed what everyone said, was it even your own belief? Or just blind obedience? That was something that was nagging him about Yevon. And maybe that was an indication that he would just be trouble for Yuna. 

“Yuna needs a strong, smart, level headed pillar…not a doofus.” 

“I’m not that big of a doofus.” Tidus scuffed his boot against the ground. “But I get it. My ignorance is a boo-boo.” 

“Other than that, I’ve got no complaints!” Wakka protested. “You’re nice, make some really great jokes, you’re a decent fighter and only getting better…”

“What, you put me down only so you can butter me up? Pick a mood, man!” 

“Sorry, sorry, I just…was surprised. When she proposed. I understand why, I’m just…” 

“I get it. And now I know your opinion on the matter.” 

“What did Sir Auron say?”

Tidus shrugged. “Danced around the topic. Made some good points, but ultimately decided it didn’t matter.”

“It doesn’t matter?”

“Probably as long as Yuna continues her pilgrimage, he doesn’t care about her love life. I’m definitely not going to try to stop her. She has an amazing goal ahead of her.”

“Yeah…” Wakka shrugged. “It’s a little terrifying too. Exciting to be a part of it, but...” 

“Daunting.” He finished for him. 

“Yeah. That’s a good word for it.” He rubbed his shoulders. “Anyways, if you do decide to take Yuna up on her offer, there won’t be any hard feelings, okay? Yuna makes her decisions, and she’s put this one in your hands. I can’t stop her or you.” 

“But if you could?” 

“I already told her what I told you.” 

“You told her I was a doofus?” 

“More or less.” 

“Thanks.” 

“She still proposed. My guess is she already knew.” 

“She’s at least kind enough not to say it to my face.” 

Wakka chuckled. “She’s too nice for her own good.” 

“Can I say something and you not get mad at me?” 

“No guarantees.” 

Tidus chuckled. “Remember when we were in Kilika and Dona was there, and saying all that crap, and Yuna very politely but firmly told her to move on?” 

“Yeah?” 

“It was extremely hot.” 

Wakka barked a laugh. “Glad to know you like a woman being stern with you.” 

Tidus shrugged. “Maybe. Back in Zanarkand, I had a lot of girls doing whatever they could to get with me. It got really annoying after a while.” 

“Oh, Mr. Hotshot blitzball player, star of the Zanarkand Abes! Player and most beloved bachelor, ya? Sounds like a real delusion. You must have inhaled a lot of that toxin.” 

“Yeah,” Tidus scoffed. “About a thousand years worth. I thought you were starting to believe me?” 

“I was, but then you started talking about your groupies and now I’m not so sure.” 

“Look, if you’re not going to be helpful, then I might as well go talk to someone else.” He spotted the next closest guardian and spoke a little louder. “Hey Kimahri!” 

The Ronso glanced at him, eyes narrowed in that stoic way he always was. 

“I was wondering, what’s your opinion on Yuna’s proposal? Should I say yes?” 

Kimahri lowered his head in thought, but only for a moment, before raising a large paw and whacking Tidus on the back, like you would a friend. 

Then he walked away. 

“What was that supposed to mean?” 

Wakka chuckled. “I think it’s free for interpretation.” 

—

They came across many people on the Mi'ihen Highroad. An old scholar with the dustiest voice he’d ever heard, an acolyte of Yevon named Sholanda—Shinda? Shish Kabob—Tidus could never keep these people’s names straight. A thousand years is plenty of time for words to evolve. 

And then there was Belgemine. A summoner, and a nice one, for once. A breath of fresh air compared to Dona. 

Yuna accepted the friendly spar, grateful for the chance to learn and grow. The guardians stepped back, and offered plenty of room for the magic storm that was to unfold. 

Belgemine had a new aeon to Tidus. A werewolf on fire, with nasty horns and claws. 

This must be the aeon from Kilika, though he didn’t hear what name Yuna gave hers. 

‘Hot Dog’ would have to do. 

Yuna raised her staff, and drew it back like the bow on a cello. The glyph appeared, and the summoning began. 

It was just as awe inspiring as the first time he had seen ‘Big Bird’ in Besaid, and every time after. Each direction she gave her aeon was lethal to any man or fiend, but Belgemine’s aeon took hit after hit. 

He wanted to cheer, if he hadn’t been too entranced by all the sparking lights. 

“Your mouth is open,” commented Lulu, dryly. 

He snapped it shut. “Oh. Yeah...I just can’t get over how cool these summons are. Yuna’s so talented.” 

“Her prayers are strong. The Fayth hears them, and the aeon reflects that strength. The more resolve, the more powerful the aeon.” 

“So Yuna is really determined to fight Sin, huh?” 

“Personally, I believe that she thinks she has no other option. She is her father’s daughter. What would anyone else expect of her?” 

“Kinda crappy on their part. Yuna has more merit than just who her dad is.” 

“To you and I, of course. But to the rest of Spira, a bunch of strangers, she’s a beacon of hope.” 

Tidus considered that a moment, hearing the phrase repeated time and time again. He wondered who they were trying to convince. 

“Would Yuna taking a husband blot out that beacon?”

It was Lulu’s turn to be silent, as Yuna’s aeon created a burst of light and Belgemine’s dog turned into pyreflies. 

“Yuna’s journey will not be easy. Yevon demands their summoners to never show sorrow or worry, but she is still young. She could use someone to share the burden with.” 

“So...is that a yes? I should take Yuna up on the proposal?” 

“I’m still trying to rationalize it out.” She said honestly. But the coldness in which she usually answered his dumb questions with was absent. “As a woman, who had loved and lost, there is something so simple and innocent as wanting to find your Prince Charming and live happily ever after. Not many do. The uncertainty of life on Spira doesn’t allow much for waiting and hoping.”

“So this is pretty normal? Knowing someone for a week and then proposing?” 

“For some. For Chappu and I, we thought we had plenty of time. We were both accomplished fighters, and we were sensible. There was no reason to rush. I don’t like having regrets, or wondering what things would have been different if I had made another choice. The past is the past. But, other people might have the right idea in rushing.” 

“So...yes?” 

“Are you that eager?” She smirked. 

“I don’t know! I never thought about getting married. I thought, hey, someday, if I meet the right girl...I didn’t exactly have a great example of domestic bliss in my own life. But it was something to think about when I was older. Now was for partying, flirting with the cute fans, getting my game right!” He sighed. “At least it was, until I came here. Now it’s surviving, and being prepared to take the hit for her. I...don’t even want to play blitzball anymore.” 

“So you’ve talked to the others?” 

“Yeah. Got a hard no, a vague back pat, and a ‘it doesn’t matter.’” 

She scoffed. “Men. Well? What do you want? Yuna gave you the choice.” 

“But do I choose what I want, or what’s right?” 

“They aren’t the same answer?” 

“I...honestly don’t know.”

—

They arrived at the Al Bhed inn in the evening when the sun was still high. Tidus found it greatly satisfying to see Auron not putting up with the blatant racism from Wakka, and they took out rooms for the night. One cramped room for the guys, and one for the girls. 

How would that work if he and Yuna got married? Would Lulu still stay in the room? Would she get one of her own?

It was crazy that he was even thinking about it. This wasn’t the kind of person he was. How many marriage proposals did he get daily from random girls back in Zanarkand? Dozens. 

And how often did he entertain the idea of agreeing? Not once. Sure, he soaked in the thrill and flattery of it all, but not one of those girls had made him consider taking a vow. 

So what was it with Yuna? He’d known her a little over a week, and most of that week was met with hostile glances from the other guardians. 

But she was so easy to want to protect, to want to talk to, and to be around. 

And maybe, even easy to lo—

Mm, maybe he wasn’t there yet. He definitely liked her though. But marriage!?

Sleep didn’t come easy. He was certainly physically tired, after saving Yuna from being kidnapped that morning, playing a game of Blitz, and the fight with all the fiends after…

But his mind was a wreck. For a little bit, he thought he might have had a dream—or rather, a nightmare. His old man, huge and bloated and horrible, writhing like the monster he had seen as Sin. Yuna stood near, her blue eye filled with ice, her green with fire. And she stared right at him, face unreadable with the neutral, emotionless summoner facade she always had to wear. 

“You would have your wife kill your father? How could you be so cruel?”

And then he woke up. 

Auron was gone, though Wakka and Kimahri were asleep on the other side of the room. After that disturbing vision, he doubted he would be getting any sort of sleep for a while. So he rose, and went outside to see if he could find Auron. 

The sun was setting. Auron stood just outside the Inn, watching Yuna who sat in the grass, cliff side. 

They hadn’t talked since the proposal. Things were too awkward, and he still didn’t have an answer for her. 

It seemed like Auron didn’t care, as he shoved him forward. 

Tidus pinwheeled before he could fall on his face, though the sound caught Yuna’s attention and she turned to look at him. 

“Uh--howdy?”

She smiled at him. “Couldn’t sleep either?”

“Nah, not really. Can I join you?”

She patted the grass beside her, and he sat carefully, keeping a little distance between them. 

Several moments passed in silence as Yuna stared out at the sunset. “It’s so pretty.” 

“Yeah. Real peaceful.” 

“I’d love to live in a place like this…someday. Someplace where everything seems calm and beautiful.” 

“It’s much different from back home.” 

“Yeah?”

“Yeah…my Zanarkand never sleeps…or slept. People coming and going all night long, businesses open all the time, lights replacing the moon and stars. It was a different kind of beauty.”

“I’d like to see it. At least once.” 

“Maybe you will. Who knows?”

“Yeah…who knows?”

They sat in silence, that was not unpleasant, for a few minutes, before Tidus began, awkwardly. “I’ve been thinking about your proposal. I don’t have an answer for you yet. And for that, I’m really sorry.” 

She shook her head. “Don’t be. I sprung it on you. Feel free to think things through.”

“Thank you. I was telling Lulu…back home, marriage wasn’t even in the realm of possibilities. It was all partying and Blitzball. Since coming here, I’ve had to reframe my mind.” 

She suddenly gasped. “I didn’t even think to ask you! You don’t have a girl waiting for you back in Zanarkand, do you?”

He groaned, but then laughed. “I mean, I guess I did. But I probably would have broken up with her when I got back anyway.” 

“I’m so sorry! Did you love her?”

He shook his head. “Janni was…a girl I was in school with. She asked me out. Or, she declared that we were now dating. This was before I went pro with Blitzball, when I was just playing with my school. I was shy and nervous, and when she asked me out, I was like, ‘yeah sure! I’ll date a pretty girl!’” He huffed. “She was a whirlwind of dysfunction. Not that I come from a wholesome family, but…she would always play these mind games with me. When I first went pro, she was excited for me, but then quickly turned around and said I wasn’t paying enough attention to her. Then when I would try to do nice things for her, she would claim I was being too clingy.” 

“She sounds fickle,” Yuna said, with her mouth scrunched up. 

“There was a phrase where I come from, that goes: ‘don’t stick your dick in crazy’.” 

Yuna blushed. “They speak about sex so openly in Zanarkand?” 

“Depending on the company you keep. Anyways, I never slept with her, even though I know she wanted to, just because I got this sinking feeling that something bad would happen if I did. So, she would often break up with me, and go see another man. Then when that didn’t work out, she came back and demanded that we were together again.” 

“And you just went with it?” 

“Yeah. It’s pretty dumb...we were both immature, and I made plenty of mistakes too, but I just felt like I had invested so much time with her already, that refusing her would have made all of that a waste.” 

Yuna sniffed slightly as her lip trembled. “That’s so awful.” 

“I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have brought her up! I know you said you liked me...” 

She shook her head. “That’s not it. I’m heartbroken that someone would take advantage of you like that. That she just...assumed you’d be waiting for her, so she could fool around! That’s cruel!” 

He sighed. “I don’t know why, but hearing you say that makes me feel a lot better.” 

“Tidus, you deserve to be loved and cherished.” She said it so seriously, he felt it in his chest. It made it hard to swallow. 

“Thank you, Yuna. You do too, you know?” 

She just gave him a soft smile and returned her gaze to the rapidly disappearing sun.