"Forgive my guards, please," Jyscal said, as he approached Yuna. "They were acting not as guards for a Maester, but for a Lord. As Maester, I agree a summoner’s duty is to battle both sin and it’s offspring, but as a Lord, my guards would deal with such creatures and could not let civilians be harmed, as noble as they may be."
"I understand," Yuna said, bowing.
"Am I to understand that you were the same person who came during the tournament to see me?" Jyscal asked.
"Indeed I am, sir," she said. "I apologize for being rude, but what I address here is extremely important."
"Do pardon me if I seem inconsiderate, but what could possibly be so important? Most summoners find that they can wait until formalities are over to speak to Maesters, and most prefer to speak to their own kind."
"I did not come here to speak to a Maester, I came to speak to you personally."
"I do not understand."
"I came to speak to you about your son—"
"My son died!" Jyscal exclaimed yet refuses to lose his regal appearance. "He is dead. What do want of him, anyway?"
"He isn’t dead," Yuna retorted bravely. "At least… he wasn’t dead."
"I warn you, I do not take kindly to mockery."
"But it’s true!" Yuna said. "My father found him and took him along on his journey until the very end. He already wanted me to be taken to Beseid Island, so he told his guardian to take Seymour there too. I grew up with him. He left two years ago as a summoner and I thought maybe you heard of him as a Maester or a Lord of the guado, or even as his father."
"As far as I am concerned, lady, he perished on Baaj along with my beloved wife," Jyscal said sternly. "And as far as you are concerned, I advise you to drop the subject. I also advise you to leave."
"But—I thought you would have wanted to know he survived—"
"To tell the truth: no."
*
"Rikku!" Tidus was glad to finally give her a real greeting now that the guards and monsters had all left. "I’ve been looking all over for you! You really a guardian?"
"Actually… that was kind of an excuse," she said, rubbing her arm. "I’m really her cousin."
"Oh," Tidus said. "That’s cool."
"I hope Yunie doesn’t get into too much trouble ‘cause of me," Rikku said.
"Why?" Tidus asked.
"Because Yevon looks down upon the Al Behd and Yuna is speaking with one of the most respected authorities under Yevon."
"Who asked you?" Tidus yelled. "In fact, what the hell are you doing here?"
"I brought you here for a reason, Tidus."
"Well, whatever it is, I don’t want to, Auron. Not after you just threw me at that things. Literally."
"You want to be Yuna’s guardian, don’t you?"
"Well, kinda," Tidus conceded. "Yeah, I wanna help her find Seymour and stuff. But that has nothing to do with you!"
"I need you to follow her, Tidus, but for another reason."
"Well, that’s the reason I’m sticking to and you can’t make me change my mind!"
"Tidus, there are more important things in the world."
"That guy was her best friend! She was in love with him!" Tidus said.
"Tidus—" Lulu started.
"I don’t care if he’s dead or not," Tidus said. "Let her find him. Is that so bad?"
"There is something more important," Auron said.
"Like what?" They all heard behind them.
"Hi, Yunie," Rikku greeted.
"What’s more important than looking for him, Auron. Don’t you want to know where he went? You brought him to Beseid with me?"
"I can’t speak of it with you," he said. "Not now. Maybe not ever."
Yuna walked over to Auron, who was thankful for his collar and sunglasses. She was so angry, and he was extremely surprised by it. "I know what you’re going to say. I know he says they can’t be the same, but you’re going to tell him Sir Jecht was his father. His father’s more important than his choice… than… I can’t believe you!"
"Yuna…" Lulu said putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Why did you rescue him if you think this way?" Yuna asked.
"Yunie…" Rikku said, practically squeaking. "What’d he say?"
"He said he’s never seen Seymour. I though the had to. I thought Seymour would have gone to Guadosalam, or met him because he was a sumoner, or… just wanted to see his father."
"So now what?" Tidus asked. "I mean people don’t just disappear. Well, not without a lot of property damage."
"I’m going to Guadosalam," Yuna said, then took a deep breath to calm herself. "I’m going to see the farplane. I’m going to see if he’s really dead, like you all say… and then…"
"It’s okay, Yunie." Rikku said.
"Rikku, what… why are you still here… I’m not—"
"I know. I came to tell the others about you. And I want to be your guardian. You’re a special kind of summoner."
"Rikku, have you—"
"I’m sorry Yunie. I heard someone saw him, though. Maybe it wasn’t him, though."
"What do you mean?"
"They said they saw him in the woods near Bevelle and he said something about seeing his father and asking about his mother’s grave."
"Then that can’t be him."