Alex cracked a smile at Naisha's words before snapping her blue gaze toward the strange man. Eyes narrowing and turning more into a cold glare with each word. Something felt off about this guy. Just the way he talked, and the way he acted. No normal person wouldn't be caught surprised by Naisha's black magic. It was a bit more rare nowadays. Especially this powerful. Not even flinching, this man was not normal and wasn't just a regular tourist.

When Naisha tiredly replied before promptly passing out, Alex blinked a little down at her friend. Grumbling as she removed her blue jacket and gingerly covered the exhausted black Mage from the front before standing in between her and this man. Blue eyes glaring in his direction as she ground her teeth in a growl.

"I don't know who you think you are what what that idiots done to you. But that moron is too stupid to actually be able to be a player. Urick would have a easier time with it and he can barily say hi to anyone, no less a girl." Alex said in a cold tone with a mild amused chuckle before she continued.

"He might be a idiot, he might of done something stupid, the two of them might have gotten themselves in deep Chocobo shit and yeah I'm pissed at them. But they are still my friends, no matter how idiotic they are. So even if they really forget and abandon us, I'm not just going to ditch them and let some suspicious guy like you hurt them. I don't know who you are, but I don't think you're exactly a friend. So if I ever catch you doing just that and hurting them. Or that girl. I'll hunt you down myself and pound you into the Farplane." Alex said in a warning growl.

“Yeah... a really comfortable way of thinking that is...” She replied to the man, “ And what do you think you know about him?! Though I suppose I don't really know anything about him anymore eit...t..h...er... * ZZZzzzzZZZZzzzz *

He raised an eyebrow as she fell asleep mid sentence. "More than you know..." he said softly as he turned back to see the redhead covering the woman with her coat.

"I don't know who you think you are what what that idiots done to you. But that moron is too stupid to actually be able to be a player. Urick would have a easier time with it and he can barily say hi to anyone, no less a girl."

"He might be a idiot, he might of done something stupid, the two of them might have gotten themselves in deep Chocobo shit and yeah I'm pissed at them. But they are still my friends, no matter how idiotic they are. So even if they really forget and abandon us, I'm not just going to ditch them and let some suspicious guy like you hurt them. I don't know who you are, but I don't think you're exactly a friend. So if I ever catch you doing just that and hurting them. Or that girl. I'll hunt you down myself and pound you into the Farplane."

"Five years is a long time for one to change..." He said as he watched the redhead. She seemed pretty stubborn in her thinking despite what he said. He pulled a book from under his cloak and held it Gingerly as it was very precious to him. "Enjoy your night miss. Tomorrow is going to be a day to remember. " He nodded and opened the book to start reading as he continued to walk to the village. "Do be sure to take care of your fragile friend!" He said with a careless wave behind him. He then whispered to himself, "She has a big day ahead of her." He whistled the hymn of the fayth, as he turned the page, and walked out of site.

She didn't like him. Not at all, but she had to make sure Naisha got home safe more than worrying about some suspicious guy. First a suspicious girl now a suspicious guy. It seemed there all sorts of psycho's coming around. Grumbling, she turned to her sleeping friend and gripped the handles. Whoever that was, at least didn't seem to want to really harm them at the moment. So Alex collected the things brought to the beach and started pushing the chair back to Naisha's home.

The black Mage was probably going to be sore in the morning, so Alex will have to probably come check up on her to make sure she was alright. Continuing to walk along, pushing the wheelchair and occassionaly shifting her sleeping friend to a more comfortable position. Naisha was going to be sore enough, she didn't need a crook in the neck as well.

Reaching Naisha's home, Alex knocked on the door testingly before opening the door and looking around. Seeing that no one was home. Naisha's parents were probably out still enjoying the feast. A bit careless to leave the door unlocked, but they probably didn't expect to be gone long and wanted to leave it open for Naisha. Wheeling her friend through the house and entered into Naisha's bedroom, Alex positioned the chair beside the bed to be of easier access before reaching and picking up Naisha. Wrapping her left arm around the mages shoulders while the right arm went under the knees to smoothly scoop her up with ease. Reaching and pulling the covers off from their nested position, the red head set the frail woman to lie on the bed before gently removing the jacket and putting it back on herself. Then gingerly tucking her friend into bed, making sure the blanket covered the frail woman. Wiping any stray tears from the stained cheeks before sighing softly. Today's been a sin of a day that's for sure.

"Sorry Nai. It was probably me that did something wrong to make them disappear like that. Don't be sad. I'm sorry." Alex murmured, even though Naisha was sound asleep. Alex didn't know why they left for five years without contact. Perhaps Alex just pushed her fears and jumped to conclusions. But she was scared. That girl. She looked cute and seemed somewhat nice. It was easy to pick up that... Innocent air. The exact opposite of Alex. Probably better company. The red head acted brash and confident, but she was always just a little jealous of those types. Alex tried to be nice, but her temper always got out of control. She end up yelling and screaming and punching, it was just who she was. She couldn't be cute and sweet or delicate like Naisha or other girls.

Alex didn't really know what she was. Something always felt wrong. But, she couldn't help but try to cling to her friends like Nai, or Gippal or Urick. She didn't know why they did it, what their reason could be. But, she hoped it was just her and not Naisha. To spare her from hurting. Alex could take it. It was fine. It was hard seeing Naisha in pain though.

Sighing Alex stood, brushing a gloved hand through her red hair before quietly trying to sneak out. Leaving Naisha's home and closing the doors as gently as possible when she left.

Leaving her friend's home, Alex cracked her knuckles before heading off into the forest. Alex never did have a home. After getting too old for the orphanage, the Amazon just kind of slept out in the forest or just around. Sure, she could probably save enough money to get a house but she didn't see much point in it.

------

The next morning, Alex stretched as she walked through town, yawning a little. Feeling a bit better after having a full belly and a much needed rest. Moving to Naisha's house, the tall woman knocked on the door with her right hand. "Nai, it's time to go or you're going to miss the game!" she called in her usual loud booming voice.

“Mmmm… so bright…” Nai muttered as she woke up in the morning. The sun has already risen across the horizon and now was shinning on her through the window. It was blinding and quite uncomfortable. Especially with what she assumed was her hangover. Trying to move the heavy and warm blanket she usually slept with, the mage found out that she indeed found it hard to get up under it. Her muscles were hurting so badly she couldn’t bring herself to push away the blanket… Eventually after about 5 minutes of mental preparation, she finally sat up and with even more weak than usual legs, managed to move from the bed, to the chair that was next to it.

Going through the regular routine of casting the floating magic, to washing herself and dressing up, she finally was ready and just in time as she heard Alex knocking on the door.’ The sounds hurts…’ Nai thought as she was slowly moving to the front door to open it.” I’m ready…, but please be a little bit quieter… my head is killing me still.” The mage begged as she opened the door and came outside.” I really shouldn’t have drank like that last night… I'm sorry you had to bring me home like that.” She said, reaching in her small bag she had and taking out a recovery potion. It was going to help with the hangover.” I suppose the rest of the team should be gathered already. Let’s go and win ourselves this game… “ Nai was very close to asking Alex to not guard Gippal from time to time so he takes a hit or two, but she reminded herself the game was important and there was no place for personal things there.

"...Ah... That's right."

Saina's eyebrows raised as she looked to the pale-haired brothers once more. Even as the bright lights invaded the purity of the space inside the temple, she appeared not to notice it.

"You are... blitzball players. I suppose then we will have to allow time for your necessary..."

Her voice trailed off as though she were looking for the correct terminology, as though the concept of what blitzball was was completely foreign to her.

"...duties..."

Was that right? Duty? She frowned. No, no that... couldn't be the right word. By her expression it was obvious she knew it, but decided to move forward to look at the summoner.

"Perhaps then, as they prepare and perform those... rituals... I and her ladyship can prepare supplies from the village come morning. I'm certain the task should be simple with the specific residents of Besaid."

She of course meant Tidus, Yuna and the rest of them. Saina looked to Eva, her expressionless face back once again.

"Should her ladyship feel she agrees, she can meet me in front of the temple tomorrow morning. If she has other things to attend to, I shall look into the task myself and... perhaps, if time permits, take a look into this... 'Blitzball' everyone loves so much."

Upon mentioning blitzball, she turned her eyes back to the brothers, nodding at them both.

"It would be nice to see the craft you two hold in such high regard in action. I... look forward to it."

With a touch of a smile warming her face, she nodded her head to the two of them before once again nodding to Eva.

"Your ladyship,"

With that, the pale woman departed the Besaid temple. Many people peered at her as she exited but she paid them no mind. Her head turned to the stars and her blue eyes reflected their brilliance. After gently closing them and taking a deep breath, Saina began to relax. What a long day. Off to the side, she spotted a trail that led down to the cliffside just tucked beneath the Temple. She turned to it and made her way down the cliffside overlooking the beach and the ocean before coming to a cozy overhang with enough space for three people to lay down on with ample space. She truly felt herself relax once she was away from the eyes of others, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she undid her cloak, allowing it to drape down and fold over the ground gracefully. With a stretch, her hands moved up to remove the ponytail from her hair. As she undid the band she felt her hair follicles nearly eek in joy as the blood rushed back into her scalp which she promptly massaged to help its flow. Even now her ebony and blue hair danced surreally in the oceanic breeze.

Unhindered by the laws of physics, or so it seemed, her hair moved as though she were underwater. A small side effect of her magic, she assumed. She usually wore her hair in a ponytail to hide this strange phenomenon and usually it went completely unnoticed. As though she needed anything else to make her look strange aside from skin like snow in this mad world. She pressed her body against the warm stone of the cliffs and sank down against it. How cozy this place was... if only there wasn't a village over her head, she could see herself just living here forever. Reaching out, the tips of her fingers managed to grab her cloak and wrap it around herself. Tonight wasn't the kind of night she could kick her shoes off and remove her skant clothing aside from the cloak, she decided. She had already placed her katana beside her.

She wasn't cold--she was never cold. But sleep didn't feel right without a blanket of some kind. Her eyes slowly closed as she stared out at the ocean and the stars beyond, trusting the gods to watch over her this night.

---------

With the cries of the gulls and the sun breaking the horizon into a beautiful dance of purple and orange hues, Saina's eyes cracked open. Morning... She rose up, nearly finding herself dizzy as her blood began its recirculation. With a soft groan, she took the cloak that had covered her last night and tied it snuggly around her waist, put her hairband on her wrist and her katana on her back. Before going to see the summoner, she decided to refresh herself.

Her stare meeting the rising sun head on, the pale woman ran and leapt off of the cliff and into the sea.

Alex waited at the door with her arms crossed over her chest, left foot gingerly tapping against the ground. Though, she knew Naisha would take a moment after drinking like that. When the door opened and Naisha spoke, the red head simply grinned a little. "Well the game is going to be even louder in the games. Think of me like preparation for it." she laughed softly as she went behind nigh, gripping the handles of the chair before starting off toward the stadium.

At the apology, Alex chuckled and patted her friend's left shoulder. "Eh don't worry about. It was no problem. Just glad you seem okay." Alex said with a grin. "We'll definetly win this one!" the red head said, entering the stadium and maneuvering through crowds of eager people.

Several trying to talk to her in order to get a autograph. Alex declined as she made her way to the teams lobby. Letting go of Naisha's chair, Alex went on ahead with grin playing on her lips. "I'm going to go on ahead to change into the uniform. Make sure you get ready to watch us win this!" she said before going off.

She wasn't looking foreword to seeing Gippal, but for the game, she'd have to put her irritations for him to the side.

"Here is not the place to talk about it. Tomrrow I will, after the game, and after I talked to Nai." Gippal finished as Eva looked towards the beach again, still seeing the explosions. Gippal had some interesting friends.... MAAAAYBE she shouldn't try to talk to her tomorrow for Gippal, might turn out a bad Idea for her. Her attentions moved towards Saina who spoke up again.

"...Ah... That's right." As she seemed to remember a detail, ignoring the lights from the blasts. She had looked to Gippal and Urick.

"You are... blitzball players. I suppose then we will have to allow time for your necessary..." She tilted her head when Saina's voice trailed off. It looked like she was trying to pick a word to say. "...duties..." she finished. Eva closed one eye, with a small smile. It could work.

She then looked to Eva and she quickly removed the smile from her face.

"Perhaps then, as they prepare and perform those... rituals... I and her ladyship can prepare supplies from the village come morning. I'm certain the task should be simple with the specific residents of Besaid." She couldn't help but smile more at her word Rituals. She giggled slightly and composed herself once again.

"Should her ladyship feel she agrees, she can meet me in front of the temple tomorrow morning. If she has other things to attend to, I shall look into the task myself and... perhaps, if time permits, take a look into this... 'Blitzball' everyone loves so much."

Eva nodded in agreement. "We can come early to get things done, not much we need I'm sure between the all of us we have ample supplies. Also we definitely need to be here for the Blitzball game. It's Gippals first after five years. I can finally see him play.

Upon mentioning blitzball, Saina turned to look to Urick and Gippal.

"It would be nice to see the craft you two hold in such high regard in action. I... look forward to it." She added, which made Eva cock her head to this side. "Mmmmmmmm" She was going to say something But decided not to at the moment.

With a touch of a smile on her face Eva smiled as well she definitely looked better with a smile on her face. Saina nodded her head to all of them. "Your ladyship," Eva Nodded to her, "Thank you Saina Ill meet you here tomorrow." She said as Saina left.

She sighed and looked to Gippal and Urick with a smile on her face. "Crazy day huh?" She said.

--------------

The next morning Eva woke up and stretched while still laying down. A comfortable smile on her face as she came to the realization she was in a warm bed. She wrapped her arms and legs around the few extra pillows on the bed as she laid there with the sun peaking through her blinds. She didn't want to get up, but remembering she promised to meet Saina at the temple she groaned and sat up rubbing her eyes. She looked around the room she was in. She remembered that Gippal had given her his bed. This was his place he was to stay at, but Eva forgot to get a room and they were gone before she arrived. With out hesitation he offered his place, opting it without hesitation.

She hopped out of bed and sneaked towards the door of the bedroom, opening it and peaking through she saw Gippal snoring softly on the couch. She smiled and closed the door and made her way towards the bathroom where she saw her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was a rats nest from sleeping. She blew a strand of hair out of face before hunkering down and fixing it.

As she walked back out of the bedroom Gippal was still sleeping, She looked at the time then back to him. Grabbing a pillow she suddenly slammed it into Gippals face.

Gippal groaned as the pillow slammed into his face. He shifted his head slightly to have the pillow fall off and slowly opened one eye. It was Eva in front of him, if it was Urick who did it he would get a massive paw grabbing his shirt and shaking him. "Do you mind? I was having a good dream." He sighed as he slowly sat up and swung his legs off the couch onto the floor.

"It's time to get up sleepy head. Or you will be late for your game." Eva said sweetly.

Nodding he stood up and stretched, making his way towards the bathroom. It only took him a few minutes to freshen up, but while he did he wondered what he was going to say to Naishia with out getting his head fried. He made his way back to the main room and looked at the clock. He should have enough time to talk to Nai before hand if he made it over to her house right now. "Alright lets go."

Eva nodded and picked up her staff, and as they opened the door they found themselves facing reporters and teenage girl fans. After a moment of realization the crowd blew up in an uproar. Bombarding them with questions, enough that Gippal slammed the door and cursed under his breath. He moved towards Uricks room and opened the door. He was already gone, probably doing his work out. he thought to himself before opening his window.

"Ummmmmmmmm...." Eva looked at Gippal with a queer look. "What are you doing? Why don't we just go through the front door?"

Gippal slipped one leg through. "It'll take forever for us to get through that crowd. Especially if they are thinking what they are right now." He slipped his other leg through and hopped down. He then lifted his hands back to the window to help her out. After a moment of her thinking it she climbed through as well. "Does this happen often for you?" She asked.

"Uh...no not really. I mean climbing out of my window yeah but not with this situation." He said with an awkward smile.

Eva's feet touched the ground and looked up at him with a blank stare for a moment. Suddenly it was as if a light bulb clicked. She placed her hands over her mouth and asked "They think we....?!?" He only nodded and she turned beat red. Instead of talking of it further she quickly replied "I gotta go meet Saina..." With that she hurried towards the temple.

Gippal shook his head. He only hoped Nai wouldn't hear the rumor before he got to her. With that thought he started jogging towards Nai's home. He reached it fairly quickly but when he knocked on it he didn't get an answer. She must have already headed for the Stadium, and her parents were gone as well. He then ran towards the Stadium, But when he reached the front it was packed with people coming to get their seats. He didn't want to deal with stopping and giving people autographs and lose time to talk to Nai so he ran to the side of the front doors and into a corner at which he jumped, using the two walls of the corner to propell himself upwards to the second level. Just barely grabbing the ledge he pulled himself over. He could have used the side entrance but that was the opposite side of the team lobby.

He continued to run, weaving in between people un till he reached the stairs. He then jumped and landed on the middle railing, sliding down until it ran out and as he hit the floor he slid to a stop when he saw Alex walk into the lobby to change and Nai infront of the rooms. He quickly made his way over and said, "Hey...Nai I need to talk to you about last night..."

-------

Urick sat mediating infront of the temple. He knew Gippal would be too busy to escort Eva around, so he had gotten up early to do his workout route, Which had included multiple martial art forms, and now his meditation. He sat under the tree and listened to the waves below. That of the ocean and also the waves of crowds making their way towards the Stadium. His armor also laid infront of him neatly, also cleaned, polished and oiled.

“Yeah, I will be right outside the sphere, along with Tidus.” Naisha replied to Alex, dropping the honorifics concerning the coach of the team. They were almost as another family, the whole team… though admittedly Tidus was doing some stupid actions now and then… and now there was the mew former star player of the Abes that moved to their lil merry team. The mage just forced everything aside for the match. The last thing the team needed was for a scandal on the stadium.

Leaving her friend to go change, the frail woman, headed towards the entrance to her team’s staff area, where the coach, managers, reserve players and everyone else who wasn’t in the sphere was positioned. Just before she entered she heard Gippal. Needless to say she was still hurt and really wanted to lash out all the anger and pain he caused on him, but she had to hold it for the team. The stadium was full of people and the story was going to get blown out of proportion, giving the team probably bad publicity. The thing from last night wasn’t going to be public knowledge as it happened in the temple. Holding her anger and pulling a surprising coldness from the depths of her mind, she looked at the white haired man. Her eyes were cold, but it was easy to spot she was still hurting.” You are late…” She said with indifferent voice.” Go change, the match is going to start any moment… if you want to talk so bad, do it after you’ve at least fulfilled one of your obligations.” She stated coldly, continuing towards the staff area.” And don’t you dare show bad performance out there… The team will look towards you as their captain while Vidina is away. If you screw up now, the morale of the team will suffer for a long time.” She added in the end, before leaving him behind and moving in to her spot on the stadium.

She felt jolts of pain, from forcing herself to act towards Gippal like that, but he well deserved it… or at least she was trying to convince herself that was the case. The feelings she held for him were still there, but they were mixed in with too much pain right now. It took too much focus even now to not become the wreck from last night. Her mind and heart were consumed by chaos.

Drifting below the waves, the sun caressed her ivory skin. She exhaled, allowing the bubbles to brush past her lips to quickly flow to the surface. The world above was so beautiful here. Maybe though, that's because it was seen through a distorted lens. The human eye sees things as they are but distorts them in their own way. Whether through feelings of nostalgia, anger, joy... Life is what man makes it. Funny how they watch life and all its events and realities but they are the ones that choose how bitter or how wonderful they are as they come. If she could stay down here, an alien in a realm of warm, oxygenless wonder not completely explored by man... she might be okay with that too.

But then the sky wouldn't always be beautiful even under the interesting waves that redefined its splendor. Sometimes, it would be grey.

Sometimes lightning would strike the ocean, like the sky was angry that the ocean was so beautiful.

Sometimes the ocean would return its anger, lashing out with massive waves as though to touch the sky and return the favor of the pain it dealt but it would never return.

"A...hahaha..."

The bubbles that escaped her lips as she laughed were muffled in the water. She closed her eyes as the last bubble escaped her lips and her lungs began to burn. Resigning to her fate reluctantly as an air-breather, the pale woman emerged from the ocean, gasping. She made her way to shore and to the Besaid temple back up on the hill. She had been lucky her katana hadn't dislodged herself in her dive into the ocean. Saina allowed the water to drip off of her even as she saw Urick at the temple and made her way to where he meditated near a tree. It was as though she still wished to be below the surface of the water and still look at the world through that distorted lens of the ocean's surface. And she did. She stopped in front of Urick as a cool breeze persuaded droplets of warm water to make their way down her body and out of her hair that plastered itself against her face, getting quite icy on their way back to the earth. The cloak that was attached at her side also swayed lightly as it began to dry out.

"You took my advice."

It wasn't a question. She had spoken softly so as not to snap the shy man out of his trance but to alert him to her presence.

"Not many hear my words in these lands I've travelled, but you have... and for that, I'm grateful."

She turned to look at the horizon again, the sun having risen higher now and more people beginning to make their way from their beds and to the stadium.

"It's funny isn't it... how the sky, and the sea are always at war with each other?"

Her expression was thoughtful, her hands clasped in front of her.

"They're like vain sisters, always trying to prove themselves more beautiful than the other, lashing out when they don't get their way... Ahaha..."

She closed her vibrant blue eyes to laugh softly at the idea. Relaxing, she removed her cloak from where it was tied on her hip and began to wring it out, her sopping wet hair falling over her shoulder. She looked back at him, her bright eyes open once more and vibrantly glowing in the slight shade of the tree they were under.

"I wonder which you find more beautiful?"

After a restful night, it was time to set up for the Blitzball game in Besaid in order to determine the team that would be in the tournament. The two famous teams known as the Besaid Aurochs and the Zanarkand Abes. Known rivals to be the top team of Blitzball. Their games were always a interesting watch, which is why so many people came to Besaid. No one really wanted to miss this match. Especially after hearing the famous striker Gippal, who had finally made a return to Blitzball after a five year absence, was newly appointed as a striker for the Besaid Aurochs. Making one of the best strikers and defenders on the same team. Course at the moment, didn't feel that way.

Currently, the teams were getting ready in their respected team lockers, Alex of course being there. Glaring at her reflection as she wore the uniform of the Besaid Aurochs. Yellow overalls that clung to her body, brown boots and a brown leather like vest under the overalls. She still wore her choker with Valefor's pendant. And wore her armored black knuckled gloves.

Personally, she didn't think she really fit this uniform, it didn't really look good on her but there was little else to do. She wasn't allowed to just wear her usual clothes.

Still, she was mad at Gippal and probably would slug him the moment she saw him if it wasn't for the game. For the team, she had to at least avoid breaking anything on him right before the game. Alex listened to the announcer outside blaring about the excitement and varifying it was almost time to start the game. Grumbling, she cracked her knuckles a little, turning her gaze toward the team.

"Hope you're all ready for this." she said, listening to them cheer which brought a slight grin to her lips.

Eva made her way towards the temple with her cheeks still flushed. She tried to put the thought out of her head, the thought of her and Gippal together. She sighed as she looked up to the sky, She felt ten times better now compared to yesterday when she was alone. Knowing Urick and Gippal were near by she felt more comforted and brave to take on the world. They were like a security blanket, they were the first ones she knew right when she woke up, her first memory was Gippal and Urick saving her a madman.

After that they traveled all over Spira, protecting each other, spending every night together, they grew very close...the three of them. She shook her head, she should have never had left them in the first place. She almost ran into someone because she was looking into the sky, "Oops...excuse me" She said with a smile, Before moving on her way. She noticed Urick under one of the temple trees and smiled. Still doing his morning routine it looked like. Before she was closer she noticed Saina walk up Urick and start speaking to him. She must have not known Urick doesn't speak to anyone really. She managed to hear a few words and always complemented him and asked him to speak more...but even after two years he didn't improve much. Oh well, it just added to his charm.

She took a few steps forward and hear the last of what she was saying while wringing out her cloak. She came up beside them, waved morning and said, "Hi! If you're trying to get the big guy here to talk he rarely does. I've been trying for two years and it's a miracle still to get two words. Not that he's being rude or anything, it's just because he is shy he's actually an amazing listener. And sometimes some great pearl's of wisdom comes from him." She smiled at them both.

Slapping her hands together, "Alright lets make this quick, The game starts soon and I don't want to miss Gippal playing, I never seen him play. " She looked to Saina, and asked, "Is there anything you need? in Particular? I don't think I'm in need of anything." She then looked to Urick to see if he needed anything.

Bohdan pondered what Cassius said for a brief moment. "Before I got here I considered trying to visit the temple. I know the ways of Yevon have largely lost favor with the public, but I always thought there were some things about Yevon that were worth preserving. Do you think the temple could yield any useful knowledge, or has it become commercialized?" Bohdan slowly became aware that some people might be offended by his suggestion that it had, but there wasn't much he could do about that now.

"Of course, if that doesn't interest you I have no intention of dragging you along for it. It shouldn't be difficult for us to meet up again either way. ...At any rate, I look forward to travelling with you, Cassius."

Cassius nodded to Bohdan. "From what I know, which could be way wrong, is that the temple indeed made it's.... lies known. And people still side with it... but... that is all I know. I rather place my faith in something that isn't a subject of politics." He stated critically.

"I'm... feeling a bit sleepy. We should get some rest... and you're more than welcome to stay here." Cassius offered as he than laid across the bed.

"Good night."

Had it really gotten that late? Apparently it had. Bohdan wouldn't normally have been tired, but that fight had worn him out a bit. "Very well then. I will rest here but..." he didn't want to sound rude, it it really didn't have anything to do with the quality of Cassius' house, but he was afraid it might sound that way. "I think I would prefer to sleep outside. I'm much more comfortable there, as that's where I've mostly been sleeping for the past two years. I've slept outdoors for most of my life, in fact. I find it difficult to sleep indoors, it's often too silent for my own good."

Nai looked at him, her eyes filled with a cold hurt. It actually made him take a step back. ” You are late…” She said with indifferent voice.” Go change, the match is going to start any moment… if you want to talk so bad, do it after you’ve at least fulfilled one of your obligations.” She stated coldly, a statement that cut him hard, coming from her. She continued towards the staff area.” And don’t you dare show bad performance out there… The team will look towards you as their captain while Vidina is away. If you screw up now, the morale of the team will suffer for a long time.” she added as she turned the corner leaving him behind.

Gippal stood looking at the corner she turned around for a long time. Till he finally jolted himself back to the reality of now. Grinding his teeth he turned and walked into the locker room. Passing his fellow teammates to the only locker still not opened. He opened it and started to undress. After a bit he hesitated before pulling white shirt off.

A few Minutes later Gippal sat down in front of his locker, looking at his own reflection in his small mirror in the door of his locker. He looked ridiculous in this overall like uniform, personally he had hoped this extra uniform didn't fit so he would be able to wear his own clothes. Sadly not. The reason besides it's horrible look was because of the scars all over his chest and back that now could be easily seen, especially one nasty one over his heart. He placed a hand over it and rubbed it gently. He didn't want people to ask questions...

Shaking his head he slammed the locker as he heard Alex say, "Hope you're all ready for this." With a cheer from the rest of the team Gippal stood up and made his way over to Alex. He wanted to explain himself A few of the teammates routed him off.

"Hey man glad your on the team!" The teammate in front of him slapped him on the shoulder, then gripped it and got closer. "Ya I know you are a hotshot who's good friends with Alex Ya? But it's been five years. Alex and I sort of have a thing now, so before you go and try to make any moves on my redheaded Goddess, know that she's taken."

Gippal's red eyes stared blankly at the man infront of him. He then sighed and shook his head. "Look...Abo was it? I'm sure at this moment you have a thousand percent higher chance than me she likes you more than me." At which Abo looked slightly surprised. "Really?"

Gippal nodded and patted Abo's shoulder "Good luck buddy." before leaving him to inflate his own head. He then continued his way towards Alex but as he was about to reach her Tidus walked in and said. "Alright everyone lets show them the reason we deserve to be the champions once again this year! Time to move out!" With that everyone roared a cheer and began running out of the door that lead to the sphere. At which Gippal tried to catch Alex, "Alex wait!" He placed a hand on her shoulder " I need to talk to you about last night..." He then started to hear the announcer introduce the players of the team as they came out. He gritted his teeth again...he should have come earlier.

=======

Urick opened his eyes slowly as the woman named Saina said softly,"You took my advice."

He looked up to her, dripping wet in front of him with her cloak off. He lowered his eyes, sweat appearing on him again. She was so scantily clothed it was just hard for him not to look. He swallowed hard and tried to focus only on her face. He didn't understand what she had meant before at least not fully, in the temple. But now it clicked. As he realized he was meditating in the temple and how it centered her.

"Not many hear my words in these lands I've travelled, but you have... and for that, I'm grateful." She turned to look at the horizon again, at which he watched her for a moment before she spoke again. "It's funny isn't it... how the sky, and the sea are always at war with each other?"

Urick looked to the sky as well and thought about her words, He looked back to her to notice her thoughtful expression. Strange seeing it after used to such an expressionless face. she clapped her hands in front of herself as she explained her idea a little more.
"They're like vain sisters, always trying to prove themselves more beautiful than the other, lashing out when they don't get their way... Ahaha..."

She closed her vibrant blue eyes to laugh softly at the idea. Relaxing, she removed her cloak from where it was tied on her hip and began to wring it out, her sopping wet hair falling over her shoulder. She looked back at him, her bright eyes open once more and vibrantly glowing in the slight shade of the tree they were under.

"I wonder which you find more beautiful?"

He blinked and looked away the shade of red appearing on his face growing stronger as she looked at him. He thought of her idea and wondered the best answer. They both were truly beautiful. It would be hard to choose between the two. But how would he explain it...Thankfully Eva showed up and joined the conversation explaining his predicament. He only nodded and proceeded to place his armor back onto his arms, quickly cinching the leather straps down. He then stood up, towering over the two women. He shook his head stating he didn't need anything.

Alex watched the team before spotting Gippal attempting to come towards her, in which case her grin disappeared and her icy blue glare returned as she snapped her gaze away. Not really feeling like confronting him without punching him. She faintly heard Abo going off on his weird fantasies and she mildly turned her head to glare in their direction. It was just weird to be spoken about like that. She didn't get it. Naisha was much better looking. Then again Abo seemed to just flirt with anything on two legs so she probably shouldn't be surprised.

As Tidus came out and notified everyone it was time to head out, Alex rolled her shoulders, slightly clapping her hands against her cheeks as she got her mind on the game. It wasn't the time to be focusing on the nimrods at the moment. She didn't want to dissapoint the team if she wasn't focused.

But as she walked, she heard Gippal call her from behind and grinder her teeth together and glanced back at him with the same icy glare. "Didn't realize I was worth talking to now." she said bitterly, but her voice was low and didn't hold the usual angry flare. It was just cold, firm and crystal clear like ice. A usual indication that she was mad, and hurt. In her own way.

Taking a moment to take a deep calming breath, she continued speaking. "Gippal, I agree we need to talk but we have a game right now. If you want to talk and try and explain yourself that Urick couldn't, then you can wait until after the game. You really hurt Nai, and you know how much I hate that. So you better have a very good damn reason for it and stay away from Nai until you managed to convince me. Till then just focus on the game." she said in the same tone, even calling both of the boys by their name instead of their nicknames she usually called them. It was pretty bad when she couldn't throw insulting names at him.

Continuing to walk and leaving no room for another word, Alex stepped out and listened as the announcer spoke her name.

"And here comes the one and only, the Crimson Valefor, the toughest of the toughest defenders, AAAAAALLLLEEEEEX!" she heard him yell as cheers ringing out in the crowd. Taking a deep breath as she stepped to the diving spot, she jumped into the air. Spinning her body as she flipped and dived into the water almost elegantly.

Swimming to the Auroch's side of the sphere, Alex took her position on the left.

After Naisha left Gippal, she finally reached the team's staff area. There were already people who were here, like some of the sponsors who got VIP access here as these were some of the best seats on the stadium. There were also some of the reserve players who watched the game. As the people noticed she entered, she had to go exchange pleasantries with the sponsors. After all she was the manager and she was the one who took care of all this along with the paperwork.

After the small talk was over with, she planned on moving from her chair to one that was for the viewers, but with her sore muscles she decided to stay on her hovering chair. It was also more comfortable than the provided ones, even the VIP ones. Finally they started to announce the players. The mage watched as her team was called forth to the sphere with the joyful shouts of the spectators. "And here comes the one and only, the Crimson Valefor, the toughest of the toughest defenders, AAAAAALLLLEEEEEX!" Shouted the announcer shouted as Alex appeared. A small smile appeared on Naisha's face, seeing her friend out on the field. She loved to watch Alex play. The red head was good. Long ago Nai dreamed of someday playing together with Alex and Gippal, but now she was just happy seeing them play.

"I need things to pass off to Gippal when he is done,"

As she explained she stood up straight slowly, satisfied with her mostly dry cloak. She tossed it over her arm for a moment before running her fingers through her hair. Her eyes closed and her expression was very matter-of-fact.

"I imagine he is a bit wound up with what scandals those women put him into. It's more than likely he didn't bring any potions with him so stocking up on extra for each type is a good idea,"

She opened her eyes as ice sickles formed from her hair and shot down to the ground, drying her hair instantly as she put it up into its hairband and wrapped her cloak around herself. As she leaned back to sway the cloth over herself, the scar on her abdomen stretching from above her hip bone to the middle of the side of her ribcage became more prominent if only for a moment. Then she tied the necessary strings to keep it in place. At last, she looked up, her katana holstered to her hip. She paused to look Eva up and down, contemplating. Then she chuckled and closed her eyes, stepping up to stand beside Urick.

"Though... it would appear you are eager to get to the games. Perhaps we should all head there now and allow this to be but a small excursion afterwards. I've already a place for those potions."

She thought of the vendor's tent that she had passed on her way in by the stables. After a peek within she recalled seeing a large amount of different sorts of elixirs and healing potions within.

"It is your decision, m'lady."

"I need things to pass off to Gippal when he is done," She started when she finished with her cloak, then ran her fingers throgh her hair, Her eyes closed and her expression was very matter-of-fact. as she continued wit the thought"I imagine he is a bit wound up with what scandals those women put him into. It's more than likely he didn't bring any potions with him so stocking up on extra for each type is a good idea. There is another matter as well,"

Eva cocked her head to the side, Saina was right, he would need some extra potions just in case he said the wrong thing to...Naisha? The one who was blowing up something at the beach last night. Funny thing was no one seemed to worry about it, at least the people who lived here. Saina stood next to urick after she dried her self with an ice spell. That's an odd way of doing it. Eva thought to herself.

"Though... it would appear you are eager to get to the games. Perhaps we should all head there now and allow this to be but a small excursion afterwards. I've already a place for those potions." "It is your decision, m'lady."

"eh heheheh..." She chuckled softly, scratching her cheek with a finger as she closed her eyes thinking what they should do. "Forgive me Saina I know you're trying to help and all. But I think we will miss the game if I go shopping at the moment, I tend to like shopping a little too much..."

She laced her long fingers in-front of her, "I think we should head to the game." She said with a smile. "It's been a long time since I've been to one, and you Definitely need to see one. She took her Saina's hand, which was ice cold. She paused at the feel, she was too cold. But maybe it was the spell she used? It would be rather useful in this weather. Ignoring thinking of it further she said, "Come on! let's go!" She giggled dragging poor Saina behind her.

It took them a bit, but they managed to get , and have great seats to boot. I guess it helped when they had Urick with them. They were right next to the Auroch VIP Booth. They had managed to get their just before they started calling out the players.