Final Fantasy Fun

Title: Love Her and Despair
Chapter 47: "Thorns"
Final Fantasy X/X-2
Characters: Auron/Lulu, Zuke, Rikku/Wakka
Rating: G
Word Count: 3500
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With Yu Yevon finally defeated, Lulu, Auron, and Wakka and Rikku's family enjoy a much-needed respite in the strained hospitality of Yevon's capitol.

Lulu was knitting herself back together as methodically as she used to repair lace-embroidered sleeves before the campfire. Auron saw it each morning when they awoke. The shreds of dream that fled her eyes at first kiss were human now, most of the time. Her nightmares were fewer. The red marks at her wrists had faded to ghostly white. On good mornings, he would wake to find her in his arms, instead of curled up coverless facing the wall.

She had dismissed the disquieting tug of the pyreflies, almost convincing him that she could not sense their pull. When he pressed his doubts, she parried with a lecture. "Sin, the aeon that bridged the Farplane and Spira, has been eliminated. Pyreflies seek to close that breach, calling home souls who stray beyond their time. Of course, I need not fear you will answer the summons."

Outside, her eyes were acclimatizing to daylight. She readily joined Rikku and Wakka's family in their games of catch and toss around the fountain, honoring the memory of the High Summoner who had so treasured laughter. Not that Lulu laughed often. She moved with mute grace among the children, allowing herself to be teased and targeted. Soon she was evading their throws, pivoting out of a missile's path with belled white skirts and braids swinging.

Vidina kept trying to teach her the rules. "You're supposed to catch the ball, not dodge it!"

Two handfuls of fluffy snow materialized above his head in answer. Then all the children had wanted snow, and the lawn around the fountain had nearly become a bog before the abbot stormed out to forbid black magic’s use in the garden. Auron caught Zuke's smile as he returned to chambers, head shaking in wonderment.

Auron guarded. Lurking in the colonnade, he saw the glances cast by passing clergy at the Al Bhed in their midst. Not all glances were friendly.

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Title: Love Her and Despair
Chapter 30: "Yuna's Cloister"
Final Fantasy X/X-2
Characters: Zuke, Auron, Isaaru, Paine, Nooj, Pacce, Elma
Rating: PG-13 (Language)
Word Count: 2900
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The Story So Far: Thanks to a vengeful ghost, Bevelle palace lies in ruins, and one of Isaaru's guardians is dead. The survivors of the battle with Shuyin need healing before they can face Sin again.

illustration by mintywolf

"Ah! Sir Auron, there you are."

A drainage ditch was an unlikely destination for morning prayers. Yet there was no mistaking the green robe, high collar, and ceremonial band stitched with Yevon's signs from throat to knees. Yevon's toilet paper, Kinoc had called it, and died in it.

The priest climbed down into the muck. "Goodness gracious. I suppose even legendary guardians are mortal, aren't they? Not too mortal, though, I hope. Let me see." Humming to himself, he began to circle Auron, ignoring the stagnant water and blood wicking up the hem of his robes.

Healing magic lapped out from his hands. A light drizzle pattered down, glazing the priest's bald head. The damp tasted of salt, not only from the breath of the harbor: there were tears in that rain, tears never shed by their owner when she had eyes to weep. The sour odor from the outflow pipe reeked of Sin and the living.

Auron gritted his teeth as bones shifted back into place, following the ley lines of the pyreflies. Breathing became easier, but his ribs still ground together like a sack of charcoal. Auron stared at the man shuffling around him. "Do I know you?"