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The following morning, the Gullwings dropped Ann and Auron off at Luca before they went to return the Awesome sphere to its rightful faction.
Auron~Hey Ann, don't get too excited once we get off the docks
Ann~What's there to get excited about it?
Auron~You'll see…come along, honey
Ann giggled and held his free arm as they made their way around the docks.
Auron~Did you speak with any of the girls?
Ann~Yeah. She wanted to know if I was safe.
Auron~Was she convinced?
Ann~I think so. Daddy?
He hummed to let her continue
Ann~Was there a big battle or maybe even war when you served her? Other than Sin I mean.
Auron~There was. I can tell you about it once it becomes relevant
Ann~Like being married?
She giggled and he nudged her while shaking his head
Auron~Heh, cheeky brat.
Ann~I love you too

From the docks, they crossed a long walkway into the bay that led to the front of the blitzball stadium. They took a turn just before it though
Ann~What's here?
Auron~The Sphere Theatre. We can get some sphere recorders similar to what the girls are hunting. They also have technology to record memories
Ann~Really? They can access memories?
Auron~From my understanding, the recording isn't a true memory. It's what's formed from a moment of strong emotion, like grief or anger…maybe even something intimate.
Ann blushed and hit him
Ann~Dad! You–?!
Auron chuckled~Men have needs too, but no, Ann, I didn't do anything like that. It doesn't have to be romantic to be intimate. It could also just be a moment of vulnerability.
Ann~Oh…So…did you ever use that thing for yourself?…
Auron~Don't ask questions you don't want answers to, dear, especially if it involves your mother.
Ann blushed again at the implication making him chuckle.
Auron~Would you like to try recording a memory?
Ann~N-no…I don’t want to risk an accidental emotion to be recorded.
Auron~That’s fine. We can just focus on recording our trip.

They bought several spheres and went back to the bridge towards the stadium entrance.
Ann~Cool...So many buildings...lights...TVs...
Auron~Let’s go, honey. It doesn’t seem like they have a blitzball game anytime soon.
Ann~Awww…It looks fun from the drills the Aurochs were doing.
They walked on.
Ann~Hey, does anything other than blitzball happen here?
Auron~I’m not sure if there’s anything new since my last pilgrimage. But the last time I was here some fiends interrupted a tournament
Ann~Then what happened?
Auron~I fought some off then Maester Seymour came in with an Aeon and destroyed them all
Ann~That sounds pretty cool…
Auron~Yeah, if you don't consider that he tried to kill us just to coerce Yuna into marrying him...
Ann~What? Oh, if I was there and I was able to use jutsus, I'd kill him. I don't care about the consequences.
Auron~Can you really do that as easily as you say you can?
She nodded. Auron hummed in thought. He knew she had the capabilities, and considering that Ann seems to look up to the Gullwings as older sisters since yesterday, he wasn’t going to tell her any more details than what he’d shared. She might find a way to summon him as an unsent just to kill him again.

At the bottom of the stairs from the entrance, Ann and Auron tried to pass around a news reporter, but she took notice and immediately went to them.
Shelinda~Sir Auron! Forgive the intrusion! Would you mind doing an impromptu interview with me? There’s been some rumors that you were seen at Kilika with the Gullwings
Auron sighed~I would prefer not to, but I’d rather debunk any rumors you’ve heard.
Shelinda~Of course! Thank you!
She signaled the cameraman to start recording.
Shelinda~Good afternoon Spira! This is Shelinda with the BBC in Luca. Today, we have a special interview with Sir Auron, legendary guardian to both High Summoners Lord Braska and his daughter Lady Yuna!
She turned to direct a question to him, but paused when she noticed Ann poking out from behind.
Shelinda~Oh, hello there. Sir Auron, is she your companion?
Auron~Something like that. Her name is Ann.
Ann politely waved and nervously smiled
Shelinda~Were you with Sir Auron and the Gullwings at Kilika?
Ann~Y-yeah. There was a sphere we accidentally helped them get.
Shelinda~Accidentally? How do you accidentally help?
Auron gently pushed Ann forward.
Ann quietly~Traitor
He quietly chuckled
Auron~Answer the question. You’ll be a celebrity by association now.
She flushed
Shelinda~Are you alright, Lady Ann?
Ann~Yeah! *clears throat* We uh…I wasn’t trying to help the Gullwings w-with the sphere. We were trying to spar before we got attacked
Shelinda~Oh! Is that how you got your scar? Interesting that it matches Sir Auron’s
Ann~No, no. This is months old already. Placement is coincidental
She tried to laugh it off
Auron~Next question, Lady Shelinda.
Shelinda~Of course! What brings the two of you to Luca? It isn’t blitz season, and I’m sure you’d rather be enjoying retirement, Sir Auron?
Auron~I offered to train her. She’s quite the fighter.
Ann squeaked and blushed again. She wanted so bad to hit him but knew he’d want her to keep up appearances.
Shelinda~Oh! You’re quite lucky to have such a renowned mentor! You must be someone VERY special
Ann~N-no, I’m not–
Shelinda~And modest! Sir Auron has a large number of fans who would give anything to train at his side. It’s rare to see him show an interest in just anyone. Would you say you have a SPECIAL bond with him?
Ann stuttered, completely overwhelmed at the implication, before Auron placed a hand on her shoulder. The contact steadied her, but the blush didn’t leave. No one noticed the smirk behind his collar when he realized he could play into the romantic chaos forming before him.
Auron~I think that’s enough questions now. It’s about time we move on. Isn’t that right, dear?
Ann’s eye widened and she spun towards him in disbelief.
Ann quietly hissing~Why would you say that on camera?!
Shelinda~Oh my…
Auron~Until next time. Say goodbye, dear.
He wrapped his arm around Ann and started walking while Ann squeaked out a mortified “bye” as they passed the camera
Shelinda~Well, there you have it folks! Sir Auron, Lady Ann, thank you both for your time. Until next time!
The camera stopped recording and Shelinda was giddy in excitement.

Once they were far enough away Ann jabbed Auron’s side
Ann~Why would you do that?!
Auron~It’ll pull away whatever attention is on the Gullwings.
Ann~But now it’s on us!
Auron~Those rumors will be easier to disprove than whatever political drama she could spin from Kilika. Let’s go, dear
Ann~Don’t call me that anymore!
Auron chuckled~You’ll miss it soon enough.
Ann scoffed~I’d rather get in a fight right now…

As Ann and Auron walked on towards the fountain square, their recent encounter with Shelinda was broadcast on public screens. The audio wasn't loud, but it was clear when they neared one. Ann could hear the implications in Shelinda's voice and caught the glint in Auron's eye when he called her dear on camera
Ann~You absolutely did that on purpose!
Auron~Yes, I already confirmed that, dear
He chuckled and she hit him again.
Ann whining~Daaaad. Stooop
Auron~Why would I? You're normally so put together, just like your mother. You always try to get a rise out of me anyway.
Ann pouted more, making him chuckle.
Auron~Let's get something to eat. There's a cafe up ahead
Before they moved away from the monitor, a boisterous young man approached them and introduced himself as Jeno from the Youth League
Jeno~I can't believe I came across you two! The Youth League is recruiting elite warriors for our cause! This could be a great opportunity for you to make a comeback, Sir Auron, and for you to make a name for yourself outside of his shadow, Lady Ann.
Auron~Not interested in politics, son.
Ann scoffed~I don't need to join a group to make a name for myself.
Jeno~Please, reconsider! We can even redo that interview and prepare you for a better debut! You guys should use your influence and support the Youth League instead of staying neutral.
He smiled warmly and stepped forward to shake her hand. On instinct, Ann stepped to the side and swept her foot under him to make him fall on his face. Auron gave her a look and she mouthed sorry.
Ann~Oh no, you should watch your footing. But we're not interested in joining.
Jeno groaning~Thank you for your time!...
Ann and Auron left before Jeno could get up
Auron~I think sweeping him off his feet like that was too much just to flirt with him. Plus, he's much older than you.
Ann~Daddy!
She hit him again, making him laugh