paixaorpg | Somewhere To Stay [Complete]

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Somewhere To Stay [Complete]

Character(s): Alphonse, Tidus, Yuna
Content: The gang finds a ~~nice~~ motel around L5 and settle in for the night.
Setting: A room at the Thunderbird Inn
Time: Late, late Friday
Warnings: None so far.

It had taken all day. Central Paixao was a really expensive place! All the nice hotels were way too much for the group to afford. Even the not-so nice hotels were too much, too. They had used the map to locate every single hotel in the area. No dice anywhere. Eventually they had to leave the central area, heading east into the poorer section of the city. Visibly, the quality in architecture declined, as did the materials used in the faux grass. The animal statues were rougher-hewn as well. Everything was still neat to look at, to Tidus anyway, even though he’d passed through this way before. Certain things reminded him of his travels with Uchiha and Goku. He wondered how they were. He hadn’t seen any messages from them in the network recently, nor heard any news of them. Likely they were fine, if they hadn’t killed each other by then, of course.

It was after dark when the group finally came across a hotel that they could afford. It was a small motel-ish place called the Thunderbird Inn. It wasn’t the prettiest of places, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. It had a secure roof and doors that locked, so that would suffice for at least one night. The hotel worker in the front office gave them keys to a room and sent them on their way after they paid. It was easy to see why the place was so cheap – the train machina’s tracks ran practically through the back of the place. As it went by, the whole place shook and rattled until it passed. That promised an eventful night. The room itself was as expected: small. It had two beds, a chair in one corner, a battered table, and a closet with doors that looked ready to fall inward. It was much better than spending a night in an alley, though, so Tidus wasn’t going to complain. The sheets were clean and the beds were in one piece. They’d be comfortable enough.

After all that walking and haggling, Tidus was pretty tired. He’d kill for one of the beds, but he already volunteered to sleep on the floor. He wasn’t about to take a bed from Al, and Yuna certainly deserved a nice place to sleep. It’d be presumptuous to ask to sleep beside her, so he’d shy away from that. Unless he was invited, of course. Stop that. Yuna isn’t like that! Instead, Tidus stretched out in the chair, looking over the room. Not bad at all.

Nothing could be bad now that Yuna was with him again. Now they could finally talk.

((OOC: If anything needs to be changed, let me know! :D))

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Rubbing his eyes, Al leaned against the wall of the hotel room and stared blearily at the pair of beds. Although he had often stayed awake studying alchemy with Brother well into the night, he was still just a kid and all that walking to and fro had simply wiped him out. It wasn't the best of rooms, but at this point he was near ready to fall asleep while on his feet and didn't care.

He slipped out of his shoes, leaving them neatly by the bed, and flopped face down upon the hard, creaking mattress with a content sigh. It was just so nice to be off his feet... Remembering something, Al opened his eyes and turned his head to Tidus.

"Mm...Are y' sure y' dun wan' th' bed?" he mumbled sleepily. "'M okay with sleepin' in th' chair or somethin'..."

Physically, Yuna was exhausted from all the walking and traveling they'd done that day. After her pilgrimage, one would think she'd be able to make a trek like this with little difficulty, but she supposed that she had to cut herself a bit of slack. It had been some time since she'd walked across almost all of Spira.

The ex-summoner sat on one of the beds that Tidus had graciously given up for herself and Alphonse, tired but oddly unable to sleep. Her body seemed to yearn for rest, but her mind wouldn't stop turning. He was right there, right in front of her, and she just couldn't lay her head down and rest now. Would he be there when she woke up? It was a silly thought, Yuna realized, but not an altogether unrealistic one. He had come back to her so suddenly... What was to stop him from vanishing again?

Unconciously, Yuna clenched her hands together and bit her lip, looking at the floor as that awful notion wormed its way into her mind. She had to shake her head to force it out again.

"Get some rest, Alphonse. You've had a long day," she finally managed with a glance in Tidus' direction. The boy deserved a bed to sleep in, but she just felt awful that Tidus had to sleep on the floor. He would never agree to taking the bed from her, though, so the only other option was...

Yuna blushed.

After all that walking, Tidus was glad to sit down. He’d passed plenty of nights without the luxury of a bed. Tonight would be no different. And sleeping on the hotel room’s floor, under a roof, was much better than sleeping outside in Paixao’s chill weather. Nooo thanks to that. The room was comfortable enough, and the floor would be fine if he needed to stretch out. Stretching out in the chair, Tidus thought that would make do. Eh, so what if he got a crick in his neck. Worse could happen.

He smiled as Al hit the bed and promptly passed out. Poor kid. Kid, what? He probably wasn’t all that younger than Tidus himself. Age aside, he was a good kid and he deserved that bed. He had walked all around the city with them, being turned down left and right, and he hadn’t uttered a single complaint. What a trooper!

“Out already,” Tidus commented softly with a nod in Al’s direction. “That has to be some sort of speed record, huh?” He laughed a little. Wow. Now it was just he and Yuna. They could finally talk as privately as they could without being rude to their companion. Ah, still, words couldn’t describe how awesome it was to simply be in the same room as Yuna. To think he’d thought he’d never see her again. This was one time he didn’t mind being wrong.

Huh. Was Yuna blushing? What for? Tidus knew better that to press the issue, but he was still curious. “I’m… really glad you’re here,” he admitted, wringing his hands nervously. This should be easy. Just him and Yuna. Instead he was more nervous and awkward than he’d ever been before big blitzball games. Get over it! he told himself. You used to be so comfortable around her. Now it’s as if you haven’t seen her in years. Had it been years since Sin’s defeat? It felt like yesterday. “So, what do you think of this Paixao place?”

"He's been through a lot. Just like the rest of us, I imagine," Yuna said quietly, the brief focus she was giving Alphonse helping to dull the bright flush that had just colored her cheeks.

She almost had to laugh when she glanced back to see him wringing his hands together like he was wondering what to say to her. It was funny that they would be in a position like this. He'd known more about her in their brief time together than even some of her closest friends. Why were nerves a factor now? Maybe she wondered, just a little bit, if he remembered what she'd said to him before he'd vanished...

"I'm glad you're here too," Yuna answered quietly. She bit her lip. She wanted to ask him, but just the thought of saying it caused a lump to rise in her throat. And she was so used to be strong for everyone else's sake. "I haven't been in Paixao long enough to know too much about it. It's... strange, but the citizens seem helpful enough. With everything that's happening back home in Besaid, I'd almost call this a break. Though I guess I'd really like to know more about the place before I think about relaxing."

Yuna's voice trailed off, and she was quiet for a moment before lifting her mis-matched eyes to look right at him. She had to ask...

"Do you... know how long it's been?"

That question. He couldn’t let it phase him.

“Ah… see… I don’t really know.” Tidus laughed nervously, looking away and doing the wringing-hands thing again. “Time is a really weird thing. I don’t know how much has passed.” He shrugged helplessly. “All I know is that I made it to water. And then I suddenly wasn’t there anymore. I was out in front of this place. It was weird.”

Yuna mentioned something that actually made sense!! His eyes widened with curiosity. “What’s going on in Besaid? Aren’t people happy after what we – what you – did for them?” Aw, man! If only he could go back there! He’d teach them all a thing about respect! Or… did they? Was there too much respect? Was she getting mobbed everywhere? Were people wanting her to do crazing things like signing toy wands and blessing babies? Wow. He didn’t even think about what would happen after. Well, he did, but never in terms of negativity. He pictured parades and grandeur for her! She deserved nothing less!

“Is…everything okay back there?”

Yuna wisely decided not to persue that subject further. It wasn't anything she wanted to talk about. She'd had to work so strong at being alright after he'd gone, and she didn't want to break down now that he was right here in front of her. It was good enough for her to know that he remembered something before this, that he hadn't just ceased to exist.

Besaid... Talking about Besaid would put them both in better spirits. Yuna herself had to smile when she thought about Lulu and Wakka. She hesitated to say that she'd been sort of meandering through life thus far, trying to find some sort of a purpose now that Sin was gone.

"Oh, Besaid is doing wonderfully!" Yuna smiled fondly, thinking about everything she needed to fill him in on. "Wakka and Lulu were married just a little bit ago, and he's gotten a little soft with married life. Rikku teases him about his weight all the time." What else? "There are lots of new factions rising up after Yevon's fall. One of the praetors of New Yevon even wanted me to marry his son." She had to indulge in a small laugh at that remark before her face took on a more serious light. "They're all bothering me to join and support them. I know they mean well, but..." Yuna paused and bit her lip. "I'm just not sure I'm ready for something like that again."

She let a few moments pass before she abruptly piped up again, albeit in a softer voice.

"And... you know, it wasn't just what I did. It was what all of us did. I would've never made it where I did without you. I don't think any of us would."

Hearing about his world again was welcome after the loads of uncertainty he had to deal with lately, what with coming to an entirely new world, meeting new people, and waiting hopefully for Yuna’s arrival. Just that bit of news made everything worthwhile. Well, actually seeing Yuna again made everything worthwhile, but this was like icing on that cake.

Tidus had to smile when he heard about Wakka. So he’d gotten together with Lulu. It did make sense. Wakka did need a wise presence around, else he’d get his head stuck in a sand dune somewhere. Just as well it was Lulu.

But the part about new factions made him feel uncomfortable. A New Yevon? Didn’t people get that Yevon had been very bad? His eyes went round when Yuna mentioned talk of marriage. It was only natural to want the most powerful lady in the world on your side. Of course she didn’t want to get involved in that mess. Yuna was peaceful. She didn’t take sides among her own people. She’d rather unite them than divide them, and joining one side over the other would cause a deep rift.

He was shaken from that train of thought when she spoke more at the end. His expression softened. “Nah, Yuna. You don’t give yourself enough credit. You worked as hard as any of us did. I just pointed out the obvious.” He gave a guilty smile. Maybe he’d done a little more, but anything added to that would make him seem egotistic. And then I left you at the end.

He had to make up for that somehow. He got up from the chair and moved to sit at Yuna’s side on the bed. Partly for support, and partly because he really really missed being close to her. He smiled reassuringly. “Once we get back, we can sort those things out. Right now, we should worry about where we are. I still have no idea, really. Just the name. Paixao. Funny, huh?” He laughed nervously for a few moments, then he changed his expression to a serious one.

“So far,” he added, “I haven’t seen any temples. That’s a good thing, right?”

As serious as the discussion was, Yuna had to crack a smile of her own. Only he would be able to talk about everything like that, so honest and frank. She remembered how refreshing, among things, he'd been on her pilgrimage. All the times he'd made her laugh when she'd been close to tears... He'd helped keep her spirits up when she'd been marching off down a well-worn path to die. He'd given her the courage to stand against everything and challenge the very nature of world left in constant turmoil and fear. All the little things were coming back. And the big things too.

"You're right," Yuna agreed softly. They didn't need to talk about all of that now. But... She turned her head to look directly at him as he settled next to her. The unspoken fear was evident in her eyes, and yet she said nothing aloud.

What if you won't be able to come with me when we go back?

Yuna smiled and shook her head. Now wasn't the time. He was here, and she couldn't spend all of their time together wondering what would happen when they found a way back home. She laughed. Whether at herself or his joke, she wasn't entirely sure.

In some ways, she'd always be the same Yuna, no matter how much she grew or changed.

"Yes, I'm certainly relieved about that." Yuna paused, smiling playfully now. "Though I'd imagine you must be a little disappointed that we won't be visiting the 'Macarena' Temple and all that."

Tidus didn’t miss that look. Honestly, he couldn’t blame Yuna. It had crossed his mind earlier too, if only briefly. Maybe this place was only some interim thing. A purgatory-like place where he’d be given only enough time to sort out his mistakes and then be taken away again. He definitely didn’t want to feel that disbanding feeling again. Well! Then he wouldn’t sort anything out and therefore extend his time. Yuna was here again. And she was okay. Well, he had yet to ask that, really. She could have arrived here because she was waiting to be sent or something.

He laughed to hide those dark thoughts when she mentioned the temple. “You can’t believe how disappointed I am!” True, seeing the temples had been pretty cool, before he knew what they were really for and what they housed. He hoped to never see a temple again. Ever.

“So, ah, we’ve talked a lot already and stuff.” Tidus smiled awkwardly. Why was it so hard to face Yuna again? She’d been more than a best friend. Maybe because he’d had to let go of her so suddenly. Anyway! “But I wanted to mention something else. I played around a lot with these journal things they gave us at the gates, right? And I found out there are others here. I mean, others we know. I saw Auron a while ago. But I’ve seen Lulu and Rikku recently, too. You think we should meet up with them? Maybe they’ll know a little more about how to get back to Spira.” If you even want to go back.

"Oh! Rikku and Sir Auron are here as well?" Yuna wasn't able to hide her surprise at that revelation. It was a comfort, to be sure, but it certainly did startle her to know that she and Tidus weren't the only ones to be pulled into this strange world. She smiled brightly. If Sir Auron were here, perhaps... Perhaps the fayth would be giving them another chance! It wouldn't do to assume such things, but where was the harm in hoping?

In a burst of energy, Yuna reached out to take Tidus' hand and look directly into his eyes.

"You'll be coming along too, right? If we go back?" she asked eagerly, hope shining in her mismatched, green and blue eyes.

Tidus doubted that anyone could refuse that request. He couldn’t help but smile. “Of course I’m going back with you! Don’t be silly!” He laughed, giving her hand a squeeze. “I’ve already spent more time away from you than I ever wanted to. And nice as this place seems to be, it isn’t home.” Of course, he’d never see his real home again…which of course, wasn’t real at all. That particular longing feeling had died down a long time ago, but sometimes it came back sharply. It had when they saw the ruins.

But there were other things to think about. Homesickness was like nothing beside how much he’d missed Yuna, anyway.

“Tomorrow we’ll go looking for anyone that knows us, okay? We’ll be fine. I’ll even put up a notice on the network’s message board so it’ll be even easier for us to find them.” He sounded a lot more confident than he felt. The others had to be out there, right? He saw them make posts occasionally. But, like the friends he’d met up with in the very beginning, they tended to lapse into silence. Were they even there anymore? Here’s to hoping, anyway.

Someone in Paixao had to know them.

“But for now, I think we should get some sleep. It’s been a really big day for all of us,” Tidus finished, looking weary himself.

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Somewhere To Stay [Complete]

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