Gippal watched the clouds through the window of the airship as it sailed through the air towards Besaid. He started to think about his friends on the island, whom most he hasn't seen for five years for he had not stepped on Besaid's sands for the many years. He was excited to see the island again, to smell the salty air. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the glass. After a minute he felt as if he was being watched. He opened his left eye and looked around and saw a little girls eyes down to her nose peaking over the chair ahead of him and staring at him. As soon as she saw his eye she ducked back behind the seat. He smiled and leaned back in his chair, leaning his chin on his hand, with his elbow propped no the arm rest, looking back to the News Sphere playing in front of him, as it mentioned,
"There has been another case of missing people in Zanarkand yesterday, bringing the total of people missing to 100 in three years. Many are calling for the government to stop trying to rebuild, that it should remain as a holy ground to remind the people of our past. The New Yevon officials explain they are sending more soldiers to secure the area, that in doing this they my find the core of the problem, be it a deadly fiend or ancient Machina, they are not willing to give a statement if they believe it was either..."
Gippal sighed and turned it off. All he knew about the situation was that it couldn't be a fiend or an ancient machina, due to the fact that he was there, along with multiple hunters trying to find it. Every time they went they found nothing, that a normal soldier couldn't handle. He decided to ignore it at the moment, despite his wanting to return there and get to the root of the issue.
Next to him sat Urick, his best friend, and cousin on his mothers side. snoring loudly with his head drooping over the headrest of the chair because he was so massive. He had fallen asleep for the entire flight from Bevelle to Luca, through the unloading and boarding of new passengers, then through till Kilika where he woke up for a bit before falling asleep once again just after take off. The guy slept like a log.
He nudged him as he felt the Airship slow down as it was reaching Besaid, at which the snoring stopped but he remained motionless. After a moment he lifted his head and looked at Gippal with a question in his eyes as if saying ' why did you wake me?' At which Gippal simply jerked his thumb to the window and watched Urick as his eyes looked out the window then after a second understanding came to him. Then after another moment he laid his head back again and closed his eyes.
A few more minutes and the airship jolted as it landed, at which everyone instantly stood up to grab their luggage. At which Urick and Gippal waited. For Urick was massive and it would just be easier for them to wait to get off last. Once they were able to do so they got up, and well Urick had to walk hunched over to avoid hitting the bars above him.
After a few moments they now stood at the bottom of the ramp to the airship, Gippal took a few steps in the sand, dropped his bag and knelt down to grab a handful of sand, after which he stood up and took a deep breath of the salty air while rubbing the sand between his hands. He let out a satisfied sigh. He missed this place so much. Sad no jobs ever lead him to here during those five years.
He was glad though he was here now, and that Tidus asked him to join the team. No one knew what Gippal was about to get back into the Sphere again. It had been five years since he played an official, match much to the fans dislike. Not even the Aurochs knew that he was joining, only that they were getting a new striker, to fill his cousin Vidina's spot, uncle Wakkas son who broke his leg only two weeks before.
He looked towards the path of the village and looked at all the crowds that had come in on airship and boat to follow their team to Luca. In the distance he saw uncle Tidus and some of the Aurochs waiting near the path looking towards them. Before he could wave he suddenly heard a loud squeal, at which he reflexively covered his ears. He then heard "It's Gippal!!! " from a group of teenage girls who surrounded him like a pack of dogs on a three legged cat. All of whom started to yell explaining how much they love him, look up to him or how big of fans they where and asking for autographs. He put on a smile and signed the autographs but quickly tried to make an exit to get away from them. He wanted to see all of his friends on the island as quickly as he could. It helped when Urick suddenly pushed his way in between him and the girls. He didn't have to say a word, as he only folded his arms and fact he was massive easily distracted the teenagers just enough for him to slip by to make his way to Tidus.