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After they reached the northern wharf and Ann got changed, they headed up the road towards Guadosalam
Ann~Okay, explain to me Guadosalam again
Auron~Guadosalam is a place that's inhabited by a race of people called the Guados
Ann~Ok..and who are the Guados?
Auron~A race of people who live in Guadosalam
Ann~That's– you just– Dad! Ugh!
Auron chuckled at her exasperation
Auron~I love you, honey
Ann pouted~I love you, too…
Auron~The Guado are special. They care for the Farplane and have a unique sense of the pyreflies and unsents. When you use our kekkei genkai to visit your mother and me, we're in the Farplane.
Ann~Thanks for actually answering that time.
Auron~It's only fair that I pick on you too.
Ann~I know, I know
She hit him and he smacked her back then they shared a laugh

After a few hours of walking, the trees started to get overgrown and tangle together. They finally arrived at the entrance to Guadosalam and continued on as they spoke
Ann~This looks…creepy…
Auron~Are you telling me you're afraid of trees? Didn't you rip branches to beat up one of your teammates?
Ann~Yes, but this is different. It just feels weird.
Auron~You might be feeling the Farplane.
The trees turned into a tunnel. Ann moved closer to Auron as they got deeper into Guadosalam
Auron~Something wrong?
Ann~Yes. I don’t know what.
Auron~Would you like to try seeing your mother before we move on then? We should also stock up on items before we leave.
Ann~Yeah, I'd like that. It's been a while. We didn't visit her before we left the Leaf.
Auron~You’re right…She might kill me for that. *chuckles* I'd like to see her try
Ann giggled~You're not scared of mom?
Auron~You take after her, Ann. The threats are only because you like to see reactions. She does the same. I don't react so she gives up before doing anything. The reaction is what gives her a reason to follow through with her threats
Ann~I–
She paused.
Ann~I don't like how that tracks…When did you learn to beat the system?
Auron~About the time Zabuza graduated from the academy. He really didn't like me at that time, but ignoring him made him leave me alone.
Ann laughed at trying to picture Zabuza as a child and trying to make death threats to Auron and failing.
Auron~That's better. Maybe that'll keep her distracted long enough for us to at least go to the Farplane.

When they got to the main part of the city, Auron led her up the first incline toward the Farplane.
Auron~I wonder where the Guado are…Everyone here seems to be sphere hunters based on their gossip. Are you doing alright?
Ann~Mostly…What's this place?
They paused at the Guado palace.
Auron~The Guado leader lives here. Maester Seymour was the last resident to my knowledge.
Ann~The creep who tried to marry Yuna? Who do you think is here now?
Auron~It isn't the Guado. I haven't seen a single one since we arrived.
The door opened, so they moved to the side to make space. Nooj stepped through and paused upon seeing them. Ann moved behind Auron
Nooj~Sir Auron, a pleasure to meet you.
Auron gave him a polite nod. Nooj gave a wave to Ann, which she politely returned but made no move to come out from behind her father. He turned back to Auron.
Nooj~You and your companion has been the center of gossip with some of my league members.
Auron~Two of the younger ones we met were too eager for us to join. We matched their energy when they didn't respect our decline to the invitation.
Nooj~Of course, some of them do express their youth too loudly. Commander Lucil and Captain Elma are quite fond of her actually. Although, they gave me the impression she was more…energetic?
Nooj smiled softly at Ann. Auron didn't take his eye off him or reach out to check on Ann. He didn't want to give the wrong impression and imply that the Meyvn was a threat without any evidence.
Auron~It's been a rough week.
Nooj~Then I'll be on my way. Maybe next time we meet we can chat for longer. Safe travels.
Auron~Until next time.
They watched Nooj leave, taking the incline they had just come up from. As soon as he was out of sight, Ann hugged Auron's side, trembling.
Auron~Was that the weird feeling?
He felt her nod
Auron~Can you name that vibe now? Maybe that extra bit of time helped her pinpoint it
Ann~Death…Not the quiet kind either…It's like that mission with Zabuza on the bridge…
Auron~Any visions?
Ann~Visions?
Auron~That's a no then…Sometimes our kekkei genkai can manifest visions. Usually it's that feeling of death, but even then not always. It's interesting that you're reacting this way when we can't even use telepathy here.
Ann~What now?
Auron~Vandalism?
Ann stopped shaking and pulled away, completely confused that he'd even suggest that.
Auron~What is it with Momochis and illegal acts of destruction? Seymour used to live here, remember? I'm sure there's something non-historical you could break.
She slowly nodded and Auron led her inside.

Ann~This place looks lived-in.
Auron~It does. Depending on who's here we might be doing them a favor
He chuckled as they got to the foyer. Ann went to the right set of stairs to look at the portrait.
Ann~So this is a Guado? They look…interesting
Auron~These portraits are past leaders. Those count as historic, as well as any busts.
Ann~And those pink banners?
Auron~Safe to destroy. Those weren't here before.
Ann~Think I can get it by jumping off the balustrade?
Auron~Why not just go up to the landing?
Ann~Where's the fun in that?
Auron~Of course. How silly of me to question your logic
She started up the stairs and stopped half way to climb over the railing.
Ann~You must really piss off mom with that
Auron~Absolutely. I just don't play your games by your rules, dear
She jumped and grabbed the banner, immediately falling with it.
Auron~Do you need help?
Ann~Nah, it's fine
At the top of the stairs Leblanc came out
Leblanc~Who is making a racket?
She looked over the banister and saw Auron looking up.
Leblanc~Helloooo…Who delivered me this meal?
She started coming down the stairs, fanning herself
Auron~There's no way I can shut this down with any sort of dignity
He saw that Ann was still trying to get out of the tangle of fabric by the time Leblanc got to the bottom of the stairs. There was no room to grab her and run. Hopefully Ann will be reactive with this one once she sees what's happening, since she wasn't trying to free herself any faster. If only she had chakra–she could've heard this woman advance on him and just cut through the fabric already. Leblanc walked over as she spoke
Leblanc~I can't believe that I was given Sir Auron on a silver platter. I'm Leblanc, leader of the Leblanc Syndicate. You are far rarer than any sphere offered to me.
Auron~We're just passing through.
Leblanc~We? I don't see anyone else
She pressed into his side as Ann finally threw the banner over her head. She growled as she got up
Ann~Who the hell is this?
Leblanc~I could say the same
Auron~She calls herself Leblanc
Ann~Well, Leblanc should get off of what's mine if she knows what's good for her
Auron would've face palmed if he could. She went the possessive route and now made things worse for him.
Leblanc~What's yours? Hmph. Auron, dear, you can do so much better. Wouldn't you rather have someone more mature?
She ran her hand down his chest. Ann closed the distance and threw Leblanc behind her. The blonde screeched as she skidded across the floor on the fallen banner from earlier.
Auron~Thank you, dear.
Leblanc~You witch!
Ann~I prefer the term demon. You keep your hands off Auron or I'll demonstrate why
An alarm went off and Ann drew her sword.
Leblanc~You got off easy this time. That alarm isn't for you, you cheeky brat.
She got up and dusted herself off. Leblanc gave Auron a wink and blew him a kiss with her fan
Leblanc~I hope the next we meet you'll change your mind about me
She went through the door behind her.
Ann~Why didn't you shove her off?
Auron~I'm an iconic figure.
Ann~Stupid ******** politics. Let's go see mom before I kill someone
Auron~Agreed.
She sheathed her blade and headed out as Auron wrapped an arm around her

They continued along the elevating paths, Ann huffing the whole way about Leblanc while spinning a kunai and tossing it between hands.
Ann~I wish I could keep throwing her around. She's so dense. She's worse than Sakura!
Auron~Make sure you put that away before we speak to anyone.
Ann~I wish I could stab it into that idiot's face!
Auron~As much as I agree with the sentiment, you can't do that. Huh, the Farplane is being blocked…Looks like a crusader or a Youth League member. Put it away for a moment
Ann~Great. I wanted to know what mom would've suggested.
She holstered the kunai as they approached the tunnel that would've taken them to the Farplane's entrance.
Auron~Son, is it possible to enter the Farplane?
Youth League member~No, sir. The Farplane is currently unstable, and only the Guado know how to care for it. We're stationed here to inform possible visitors of the safety concerns.
Auron~That's unfortunate. Has the Guado been gone since the Eternal Calm started? I've been disconnected from news sources.
Youth League member~That's correct, sir. There’s still tension between the Guado and the Ronso. *quieter* Off the record, it doesn't sound like a diplomatic resolution will occur from the gossip I hear. Best to not linger in Macalania Forest or Mt. Gagazet for the time being.
Auron~I appreciate the information. Stay safe, son.
Auron gave him a nod and led Ann back down.
Ann~I guess you can't escape war here either…Are we avoiding this?
Auron~I'd prefer to. Let's move on. I don't think any good will come from us staying here any longer. First it was political factions and now a racial war. I swear this is going to age me ten more years trying to keep Ann out of this…
Ann~I agree. Accidents might happen.
He hooked his arm with hers before she could reach for the kunai again
Ann~Hey…
Auron~Best to avoid making an accident too, dear.
Ann~Fine…
She snickered
Ann~Dear
He let out a heavy breath. He didn't like it now either
Auron~I'll stop if you agree too.
Ann chuckled in agreement as he led the way to Thunder Plains.