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Ann~Finally. We're out of the damn thunder
Auron chuckled as they followed the trail leading out of the Thunder Plains and into Macalania Forest
Ann~Hey, the path is looking weird again
Auron~We're coming to Macalania Forest. Depending on how things are, we might have to camp there. I'd prefer not to though
Ann~Is it because of that thing with the Guado and the Ronso?
Auron~That's one reason. But the area is also prime breeding grounds for fiends to form.
Ann~Will we be okay passing through?
Auron~We will be. I worry about the down time.
Ann rolled her eye
Ann~You wanted me to suggest we take a break now then because it's almost lunch too.
Auron~That's right.
They moved some ways off the trail to have something to eat.
Auron~Just because you have someone to defer to doesn't mean you don't have room to speak up either. You need to start policing yourself as well.
Ann~Okay, Daddy. What happens if I start leaning towards survival?
He took her bag to grab some fresh fruit and provisions.
Auron~If you notice, then you can adjust. You're trying to walk the line of living, honey. Survival doesn't allow you to enjoy, but indulgence can lead to recklessness if no one is there for you. You can have both. You need to learn balance.
Ann scoffed~Being a tool is easier…
She bit into the offered apple.
Auron~That might be so, but you know it isn't living.
Ann~No, it isn't. Maybe I should have been a civilian
Auron chuckled~Your Momochi blood wouldn't've allowed it.
Ann chuckled too and reached over to smack him
Ann~Don't call me out like that

They soon finished eating and started back on the trail towards Macalania forest. As they got closer, trees became more abundant, and the temperature dropped. It was cooler, but not freezing.
Ann~There's a lot of stuff going on off the trail.
Auron~Which is why we stay on marked paths. You might see the Guado through the trees if we don't meet one first. Oh, there's one there.
Auron nodded towards one
Ann~Wow...They have big hands...
Auron~They're humanoid, but they're very in tune with the trees and pyreflies. They can tell if someone is an unsent.
Ann~Whoa…What about me though? Our kekkei genkai is weird.
She flinched at a rustle on the right, turning to not get attacked from her blind spot.
Auron~Anything?
Ann~It’s either gone or extremely still. Ugh, I wish I had chakra. I can't sense s**t.
He smacked her head.
Auron~Stop swearing
Ann~Is that necessary right now?
Auron~No immediate danger. Yes.
Ann groaned in exasperation.
Auron~There's a spell that can scan.
She grabbed the front of his coat
Ann~You're only telling me that now?! How are my complaints about not sensing anything made that spell not relevant?!
Auron coldly~You can apologize or be disciplined
Ann let go and took a step back. She took a deep breath before speaking
Ann~I'm sorry, father…I was out of line…
He nodded then motioned for them to continue, and they walked on. After a few minutes Ann spoke up again.
Ann~I'm sorry, dad. I overreacted…
Auron~I know. You're used to getting what you want.
Ann~Why didn't you tell me about it?
Auron~You rely too heavily on the Silent Killing Technique to track anything. The Scan spell would've just been a crutch to something you don't have instead of learning a different skill to compensate.
Ann~Oh…That…That tracks…
She sighed. Auron put his arm around her to give her a side hug and to kiss her head as they walked.
Auron~I accept your apology, honey. You don’t have to put up a show for everything.
She leaned into him
Ann~I know…I just…I'm sorry…
He kept his arm around her as they walked. The forest thickened as they continued through, getting eerily quiet and their footsteps being the only noise they heard.

They reached a small clearing where the path branched to three different trails some hours later.
auron~Well, Ann, do you want to run around for a little bit? There's a spring nearby that we can regroup at
Ann~It’s safe to do that?
Auron~Safer here. Just stay on the marked paths. You'll know if you go too far.
Ann~You promise it'll be that obvious?
Auron~Yeah. Do you remember signal help?
Ann~Uh huh. Cast a light flare.
Auron~That's my girl. Go ahead. I know you want to take that shiny trail first.
Ann giggled and ran off to the trail on the far left which was sparkling and almost transparent
Auron smiled~Ane, what'll I do with her?
He shook his head and went down the middle trail. As he walked toward the spring, he heard Ann laughing overhead on the trail she took and chuckled as he shook his head again.

A short while later, Ann found Auron at the path entrance to the spring.
Auron~Did you enjoy yourself?
ann~Yes. What are those things that has a snake arm and three heads on its shoulder?
auron~It's a chimera, but you should be careful right around here. It's a great breeding place for fiends.
ann~Then why'd you lead me here?
auron~Because of the Spring. You can go ahead and take a dip if you still have the energy.
ann~And I won't get in trouble?
He led her down the path towards the spring
auron~Of course not. Keep your sword in case any fiends decide to show. I won't be far, but I don't want you panicking for being unarmed. Especially with your magic skills
Ann pouted~It just doesn't go where I want it to go…
They rounded the corner and it opened up to a clearing. There was a giant tree in the middle of the spring, and some Guado wandering the treeline and one at the edge of the lake.
Ann~Can we talk to him?
Auron~I think I recognize him. It's safe to approach.
When they came closer, the Guado that was at the edge turned upon hearing them and gave a bow.
Auron~Tromell, hello
Tromell~Sir Auron. I offer my greatest apologies for what the measter did
Auron~I understand why. Guado deal with Guado problems.
Tromell stood up. He looked at Ann in confusion.
Ann~Hello. My name is Ann.
Tromell~H-hello. I…
Auron already expected a reaction of sorts towards Ann, but Tromell's expression was more than he thought would happen.
Auron~Is her presence unsettling?
Tromell~Would you mind if I spoke freely?
Auron shook his head, and Ann tilted her head in confusion. She didn't think that they were THAT sensitive to the unsent or pyreflies from how Auron described them earlier.
Tromell~I know she is not unsent, but at the same time, she permeates the Farplane. As if she carries it. It is different from an unsent, such as yourself, Sir Auron.
Auron~That's interesting how our kekkei genkai carries in us…Must be why Seymour had a particular distaste in me, heh. It must be residual from me. My daughter hasn't been far from my side since we started traveling.
It was better to not reveal the true reason. It wasn't necessary.
Ann did her best to not smile at Auron's omission. It doesn’t take a genius to know that they shouldn't freely share that their kekkei genkai allows them to walk the Farplane in their dreams. That was probably the actual reason why she permeates the Farplane, whatever that meant.
Tromell~It is possible. It is fortunate she was out of harm's way during your last pilgrimage.
Ann~I can hold my own. Can I ask about the issue with the Ronsos?
Auron gave an approving nod.
Tromell~We Guado made a terrible decision in pursuit of Lady Yuna. The Ronso resisted our cause.
Ann~Your people overpowered theirs?
Tromell~Correct. We hide here now. We have accepted our fate that we will disappear with the forest when they come for us.
Ann~I'm sorry to hear about the circumstances. Regardless of how it came about, there's no reason to cause the extinction of anyone. The fault was the leadership of one person.
Tromell~You speak words beyond your years, little one. But do not worry about us. You may forget us from your life.
Auron~War might still be avoided if the right people are involved, Tromell. Maybe fate can still spare your people and provide an opportunity for healing. The rest of Spira has benefited from the Eternal Calm.
Tromell~You each speak kindly to me and the Guado. I am grateful for your kindness. Even Lady Yuna has shown me much sympathy.
He bowed to them again.
Tromell~I must take my leave now. May your travels be safe.
They watched him walk off into the forest.
Ann~I know what they did was wrong. But that Seymour guy was the one that led them to those actions. It isn't fair to blame the whole race for the actions of one man.
Auron~You’re right. Let's get going though. There isn't much else here. I prefer to not spend the night in the forest. Bevelle isn't far.
She followed his lead back to the crossroads.

Ann~He said that I permeated the Farplane. What exactly does that mean?
Auron~The Farplane isn't just on you, it's within you. That's how how our kekkei genkai allows us to come back as an unsent or to beckon them.
Ann~Okay, now I know you're talking bullshit. You didn't know how summoning unsents worked. Bringing back Zabuza was as much of a guess as it was wishful hoping.
Auron~No, I didn't, but that insight makes sense. If it's already within us, then it makes tethering them to pyreflies easier.
Ann~So, we’re sort of like a vessel or a portal. That's creepy.
Auron~Which is why there's still limits on who gets brought back and for how long.
Ann~If there's a price, then how is it that Zabuza and Haku are still around? And you?
Auron~I have the kekkei genkai. So I can come and go. Zabuza and Haku are different though. As far as I know, they're the first that's been revived that isn't also a user.
Ann~Can't you ask the rest of the clan?
Auron~Not possible. They're not around.
Ann~There's a place further than death?
Auron~What you've seen is something like limbo. It's an in between place. Even the Farplane here and the one we go to in our dreams are different.
Ann~Oh…Is that why I only see mom?
Auron~Something like that, honey. Down this way. Let's hope we can avoid New Yevon better than the Youth League.
Ann~Hopefully. Didn't you say they tried making you marry someone else?
Auron~Yes, but not New Yevon. I guess you could say Old Yevon. Political bullshit as you'd call it.
Ann scoffed. She could easily picture her mother raising hell if she had been here for that.