Speculum

Chapter 3


Yuna and company emerged from the temple, the priests giving the traditional Yevon bows to the newly blossomed summoner.
“Lady Yuna, we are pleased you are safe and sound.” The priest approached her, narrowing his eyes at Tidus.
“Yes, thank you. I am sorry if I worried so many people. Sir Seymour is a good guardian, however. I’m sure my pilgrimage will be safe with him by my side.” Yuna replied.
“Yuna, show us what the fayth has taught you.” Lulu encouraged.
“Come, Yuna.” Seymour extended his hand towards the door, as if to show her the way.
Yuna nodded and stepped forward: those in the temple followed her out into the main center of the small village. Yuna turned, smiling and nodding towards the people. She raised her rod in the air and a shield of magic formed around her, the Yevon symbols circled around her as the sky parted, and a flash of light revealed the summon beast Valefor. Valefor flew from the sky and landed down by Yuna, awaiting her command. Yuna approached the beast, stroking the side of it as the people cooed in awe of the newborn summoner.
Tidus especially seemed awe-inspired by what he saw… as if he had never seen anything like it before. Seymour watched him carefully as Yuna turned to face the villagers, smiling happily at her oundound talent.
Later in the evening, Seymour watched from a distance as the villagers rejoiced in the start of Yuna’s pilgrimage, keeping an ever-watchful eye on his son. Sion sat near Tidus, examining him, grabbing at his clothes and asking him continuous questions.
Seymour sighed, leaning back in his chair and tilted his head up, staring at the stars… I wonder if you’re watching…
Seymour was unaware at how much time had gone by before Sion approached him and tugged at his dad’s sleeve.
“Dad? Do you really think that Tidus is from Zanarkand?” he asked.
“Is that where he says he’s from?” Seymour asked, patting his son on the head.
“I told him what you told me: ‘Don’t tell that to any holy rollers, that will cause trouble!’”
“Actually what I said was: Be careful to whom you speak to about Zanarkand… Yevon considers it a holy place and will not take too kindly to those claiming that they are from the lost city of the dead.”
“Yeah, what you said.” Sion smiled before a yawn escaped his mouth.
“You need to get ready for bed.” Seymour smiled.
“Will you be here when I get up in the morning?”
“Yes… I will. You are coming with Yuna and I… you are her guardian.”
“Like I’ll be able to do anything… I am a kid.” Sion pouted, looking down.
“But you are also my son… and we will work together with Wakka… and Tidus… most importantly, you will remain by my side.” Seymour smiled calmly, “We will always be together, and nothing will change that.”
“Don’t get all gross on me…” Sion looked at Seymour, halfway amused.
“Yes, it’s disgusting how much I love you, isn’t it?” Seymour smirked.
“No kidding.”
“All right, that’s enough from you,” Seymour laughed, hurling his son over his shoulder, “Time for bed. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“I don’t wanna!” Sion pouted, but was unable to fight back from exhaustion.
“Sing that tune after you’re tucked in. You sleep like a shoopuf.”
Seymour walked into his hut and waited for Sion to prepare for bed before he tucked him in. He sat inside for a few moments, reading quietly before Yuna’s voice was heard calling to him quietly.
“Seymour?”
The demi-guado stood and walked outside to meet her. She looked puzzled and almost frightened.
“What is it, Yuna?” Seymour asked, tilting his head to the side.
“I’m sorry… were you trying to sleep?” Yuna asked.
“No,” Seymour shook his head, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m so sorry to just… interrupt.”
“Yuna…”
“Yes, yes… I’m sorry. Do you… Do you think I did the right thing?” Yuna asked, “I mean, do you think that I am really ready for all of this?”
“Yuna, you made the choice because you believed that you could do it. Do not let fear stop you. Your pilgrimage will be full of laughter… I promise.”
“Thank you, Seymour… I am sorry.”
“Please stop apologizing.” Seymour put a hand on her frail, small shoulder, “There is nothing that you’ve done wrong.”
“Thank you… Goodnight.”
“Yuna… one more thing…” Seymour stopped her, “Be careful with this new boy… we have yet to know where he’s really from and who he really is. He claims to be from Zanarkand… whether or not this is possible is unknown.”
“Yes…” Yuna bowed slightly before turning and walking away.
Seymour sighed a little before turning, his eyes falling upon a blonde individual who stood not far from where he and Yuna were talking.
“Eavesdropping?” Seymour cocked an eyebrow.
“Uh-!” Tidus looked around as if he tried to find someone to save him from Seymour’s wrath.
Seymour stared at him for a moment, “I don’t trust you, as I mentioned. You do anything suspicious, I will not think twice about killing you.”
“Hey! Whoa, wai-wait a minute!” Tidus walked up to Seymour.
“Please be quiet, my son is sleeping.”
“Oh… he’s yours?” Tidus asked.
Seymour stared at the boy without responding.
“Look, I’m not here to hurt anyone… Wakka says that I might find someone I know in Luca, so that’s why I’m going. I…” Tidus stopped in mid-explanation due to the unpleasant look spread across the guado’s face. “I guess this conversation’s over?”
“Correct. If you are not ready on time, I will leave you here.” Seymour retired inside his hut.
Tidus stood there for a moment, unsure what exactly to make of the blue-haired man. He scratched the back of his head and looked around. Spotting Yuna still sitting by the fire, he walked up to her and smiled.
“Don’t mind Seymour, he’s really protective, that’s all.” Yuna smiled.
“Yeah… tell me about it.” Tidus sat down beside her.
“He was my father’s guardian… and he lost someone…”
“Oh… Sion’s mother?”
“Yes.” Yuna sighed, “My father asked him to bring me here and watch over me, so, Seymour’s like my surrogate father.”
“So, your dad beat Sin?” Tidus asked.
“Yes… it was quite odd growing up with Seymour… he was only eighteen when he first came here.”
“What is he?” Tidus asked.
“You’re… really not from around here, are you?” Yuna asked, excited.
“No. You mean you believe me?” Tidus asked, hopeful.
“I don’t know if I do or don’t… Sin’s toxin is very powerful.” Yuna shrugged, “But I do want to hear more about Zanarkand. You’ll have to tell me tomorrow, on the boat.”
“Sure.” Tidus grinned, “Anyway, what is Seymour?”
Yuna giggled a little, “Seymour is from the guado tribe, but he’s only half-guado. The other half of him is human, like you and me.”
“So, Sion is part guado?” Tidus asked.
“Yes.”
“Hey! You two need to get some rest! C’mon, Tidus, I have a place for you to sleep.”
“Well, until tomorrow, goodnight.”
Tidus stood with Yuna as she smiled at him and walked away, disappearing into a nearby hut.
“Don’t get to cozy with her, ya’?” Wakka nudged Tidus’ shoulder.
“We were just talking!” Tidus complained.
“Yeah, yeah! Get to bed, eh?”