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After a couple hours on the airship, they came to Guadosalam. Ann and Auron departed with the Leblanc Syndicate to see if the Farplane was available. The two went up the trail, and didn't find the Youth League grunt that was there before. Instead, they met Tromell.
Tromell~Sir Auron, Lady Ann, hello.
Ann waved and Auron gave him a polite nod.
Tromell~Are you two trying to enter the Farplane? It's still fairly unstable because of our absence.
Ann~Oh…That's unfortunate…
Auron~Give it time, Ann. Soon enough.
Tromell~Wait. You gave us hope when I saw you last. I can guide you inside.
Ann~Really? Can we, dad?
Auron~She'll be safe?
Tromell~Yes. We have done some maintenance to make it stable for a small number of people. One person will be safe to enter.
Auron~We can go, Ann.
Ann smiled big and they followed Tromell down the tunnel.
Ann~Do you think the issues with the temples is what's causing the Farplane's instability?
Tromell~It's possible. We're not sure. We only know that the Farplane is not normal.
Ann~And taking me is not a risk?
Tromell~You specifically shouldn't be at risk of anything.
Ann~Oh. Because of that residual thing from the Farplane being on me?
Tromell~That's correct. We'll know once we get to the gate.
They walked on for a short while before they got to the Farplane's entrance.
Auron~I'll be waiting right here.
He kissed her head and watched her follow Tromell up the stairs and through the gate.
Ann~It's so pretty. It looks just like the Farplane in my dreams. Does anything feel weird, Tromell?
Tromell~It almost feels calmer. How peculiar.
Ann~Oh. Interesting. Uhh…So, how do I see someone?
Tromell~You only need to stand near the edge and think of your loved one. They will appear, however you won't be able to interact with them, nor they with you.
Ann~That's okay. Seeing my mother would be comforting all the same. Thank you, Tromell.
She bowed her head and went to the side. While taking in the sight of the Farplane, Ane appeared before Ann.
Ann~Mom! I wish I could speak to you properly. I'm sorry we couldn't visit before we left. Please don't be mad at us.
She nervously giggled and then saw her mother smile and shake her head. Ann froze and stared.
Ann~Wait, I've been told you're not supposed to react. Can you hear my thoughts too?
Ane nodded next.
Ann~Are you really my mother or are you doing what I want? What's something only you'd know?
She watched her mother sign. Ane's hands didn't move in height, but Ann could clearly see what she said. Ann laughed hard, which caused Tromell to check on her.
Tromell~Is there something wrong, little one?
Ann~I'm fine, I'm fine. I just remembered something funny my mom told me once. I can't believe that happened. I can't believe it was mom who told me that. I should have known she was the one to tell me to call Zabi a “stupid ******** dumbass” when she did.
Tromell~Should we go?
Ann~Yeah. We can go. I can stay longer once the Farplane is maintained, right?
Tromell~Yes, of course.
Ann turned back to her mother.
Ann~I love you, mom. I wish I could stay a bit longer, but it's not like you could either.
Ann and Tromell left.

Back outside, Ann jumped the stairs and hugged Auron. Tromell was slowly making his way down the steps.
Auron~I thought you'd stay longer. Did things not go well?
Tromell~A good memory stirred in her. Something humorous.
She spoke quietly, so Tromell wouldn't overhear.
Ann~I'll tell you later. Weird things again.
When Auron didn't respond, she looked up, and followed his stare. Behind Tromell, Ane was calmly walking down. Tromell noticed them staring and was shocked to see her when he followed their gaze.
Tromell~This does not bode well…
Ann~Mom? What are you doing here?
Ane only smiled and gave Ann a kiss on the forehead. Ann let go of Auron to give her a hug and was delighted that she didn't pass through her. Ane hugged her back, smoothing her hair.
Auron~Honey, you know you're not supposed to be here.
Ane patted Ann off then moved to stand in front of him. Auron was about to say something when she pulled him down by his collar to kiss him. Ann blushed and turned away.
Ann~Gross, mom. At least Zabi tries to be modest about it.
When Ane pulled away, she ran her finger against Auron’s jaw line, making him blush.
Ane signed her farewell and her love for them before walking back up the stairs and into the Farplane.
Ann~Did I beckon her or is that mom doing mom things?
Auron~What do you mean, dear?
He was still trying to process his wife's actions and how she came through the gate. She didn't die peacefully because of the politics in the Mist, but she isn't hung up on it anymore from how she spoke about the Mist when they last saw each other.
Ann~I said that I wished I could have stayed longer or if she could.
Tromell~Most curious that it happened, dear child. Even more curious she willingly sent herself after taking the time to come to the material plane.
Auron~Very. Let's…let's get going, Ann. Tromell, thank you for your time.
Ann~Okay. Thank you, Tromell.

Ann and Auron didn't say anything until they got to the Palace on the lower level to wait for Leblanc. They stayed to the side, so they could speak in private.
Ann~Are you okay, dad? Mom isn't normally like that, right?
Auron~I'm fine. No, she isn't. She was putting on a show for some reason.kkkk
He felt his cheeks flush again. She was always bold about things, but affection wasn't one of them. It's quieter, and private. Especially when she kissed like that.
Ann~Did mom say anything? She was able to hear my thoughts in the Farplane. It was weird. She was signing back to me, but her hands stayed low.
Auron~I’m not sure. Something to talk to her about when we finally go home. I shouldn’t be worked up about it, but she was…I think I’ll need to send Ann back to the airship to figure myself out…
He rubbed his temples.
Ann~Daddy?
Auron~I’m fine. It’s your mother.
Ann~Too much?
Auron~For now, yeah. Too much for me to manage.
Ann~Is there any way for me to help?
He sighed. Ann did ask, so hopefully she doesn’t take it personally.
Auron~Yeah. When Leblanc and her cronies are ready, I want you to go back to the airship without me. I need a bit of time to myself.
Ann~Oh…You’re not gonna…You won’t go see mom, right? C-could you come back if…
Auron~No, no, dear. I’m not going to the Farplane. I’m not leaving you alone in Spira. I just need a couple hours. Your mother, she’s…she’s something.
He kissed her head.
Auron~I just need you safe with the girls, because I don’t want you causing trouble here. I need a reset, if you will.
Ann~A reset?...Oh! Oh…
She blushed. Ann always picked on her sensei and her uncle when they got in the mood or thought they were alone to be romantic, but her father feeling that way was somehow different. Maybe it was because she just saw them making out that she was embarrassed.
Ann~Wh-what do I tell them if they ask about your whereabouts?
Auron~Tell them it’s complicated.
They quietly shared a laugh.
Ann~I can do that. You won’t take too long?
Auron~I’ll call when I’m ready. If you guys get to Besaid before that, please stay with Lulu and Wakka. I don’t want to have to worry about you getting into shenanigans.
Ann~Okay, I’ll behave. Like actually behave.
Auron~Thank you, honey.

A couple hours later, Ann and the Leblanc Syndicate were back on the airship, and the Gullwings immediately noticed Auron's absence.
Yuna~Ann, where is Sir Auron? Is everything alright?
Ann~Yeah, everything is fine. He needed to be by himself for a little bit. I'm supposed to stay with you guys until he calls for a pick up.
Rikku~Are you sure? That isn't like him. Something must be bothering him.
Leblanc~He did seem broody. More than the few times I've seen him.
Ann~It's complicated. But it's okay. He said he'd need a few hours minimum.
Then Ann smacked Leblanc
Ann~You hardly knew the man and decided the best way to flirt with him was to throw your hoe-a** at him?
Leblanc sputtered, trying to defend herself, while Yuna, Rikku, and even Paine blushed.
Leblanc~You used his name and claimed him as yours! How else could that have been interpreted?!
Ann~You tried to get in his pants harder until I threw you!
Leblanc scoffed, incredulous.
Ann~You can try to deny it. But the thing is, Blondie, I don't lie if I'm not being a menacing cheeky brat. I'm currently under restraints.
Yuna~Okay, Ann, that's enough. Let's go to the cabin.
She pulled Ann away and led her to the elevator in the back room. Ann didn't resist or put on a show as they left.
Yuna~What's really going on? Even at Mount Gagazet you weren't like that.
The younger teen sighed.
Ann~We went to the Farplane and Tromell was able to lead me inside. I got to see my mom for a few minutes.
Yuna~That sounds like a good thing, though.
They walked off the elevator and sat on the sofa that was across the bar.
Ann~It was, until she followed me and Tromell out of the Farplane. Even Auron said that she wasn't supposed to do that.
Yuna~Oh…I've only known one other time that has happened. Was your mother…How did she…
Ann~Her death wasn’t peaceful. But dad says she isn't mad about it anymore. We don't know why she did it.
Yuna~Did she do anything after leaving the Farplane?
Ann~I mean…
She blushed.
Ann~She kissed dad. It wasn't short either, if you know what I mean
Yuna blushed too.
Yuna~O-oh…That's…And Auron allowed it? I mean–!
Ann giggled.
Ann~It's okay. I looked away, but I think he was too stunned that she even did that. I'm under the impression she would have been more discreet otherwise.
Yuna~Have you met your mother before? I thought you said she passed away when you were a baby?
Ann~Uhhh she did. It's uhh…It's complicated.
Yuna smiled~That's Auron's favorite thing to say when he couldn't, usually won't, explain something to us.

The things Auron didn't explain weren't usually worth explaining. Especially when it would explain itself in due time. In this case, there really isn’t a way to explain it.
Auron~Honey, what were you thinking? What did you need? That was quite the show you put on, especially in front of our daughter.
He sighed and sank deeper in the water. Auron touched his jaw where Ane had run her hand just a few hours before and felt his cheeks flush again. Even his body was reacting to the thought of being with her again, and it was starting to get painful.
Luckily there was no one else in the hot springs right now, but he didn’t like how easily he was reacting to her childish antics all the same. Granted, it had been a few months since he last saw her and prior to that they were separated for 10 years, but even after reuniting that first time he wasn’t like this.
Auron sighed again and got out of the water, intending to take a cold shower to calm himself enough to leave without having to hide his arousal. Maybe training in Thunder Plains will blow off enough steam to rejoin Ann in a few hours.

They didn't leave for Besaid right away, as the crew agreed to give Auron a day to call back first. The following day, they finally received the pick up call from Auron.
Ann was the first to greet him and hugged him tight.
Auron~Hey, honey. Sorry I worried you.
Ann~I'm not worried.
He rolled his eye and smiled
Auron~Of course not. Did anything interesting happen while I was gone?
Ann~I didn't get physical with anyone.
Auron~Does that mean you still threatened someone?
They made their way to the bridge
Ann~I threatened that they were lucky I was under restraints. Does that really count?
Auron~Ehh…I'll let it slide this time. You were self aware.
Rikku~Auron! Are you alright? What were you doing?
Auron~I'm fine, Rikku. Things were complicated. It's fine now.
Paine~How complicated to separate for a day?
Yuna~Come on girls, stop prying. It isn't anything to worry about.
Rikku~Did Ann tell you something you haven't shared yet?!
Auron sighed and rolled his eye again.
Auron~I guess you needed to reset too?
Ann~J-just a little…Leblanc didn't help.
Auron~Ah. Partial threat was warranted then.
Ann nodded.
Auron~Dear, would you mind getting me something to eat? I didn't have anything yet.
Ann~Sure, daddy.
She left to see Barkeep. Auron got the girls’ attention and had them come closer to him at the door.
Paine~What's wrong? You sent Ann away.
Auron~She doesn't need to hear the subtext. Who knows what perverted thoughts she might run with. She needs less time with her sensei when we finally go home…My wife came through the Farplane before going back. I got worked up because she was doing her own thing again and I needed time to myself to get sorted and to blow off steam.
Rikku~Wait. Does that mean–
Auron~No. I did not find someone else. I will never lay with anyone other than my own wife.
Rikku sighed in relief.
Yuna~We don't doubt you, Auron. You've always been loyal to us. You know how Rikku gets.
Auron~Over imaginative. I spent most of my time in the hot springs in Guadosalam, and then I was training in Thunder Plains.
Paine~You blew off a lot of steam then. Are you sure you're sorted?
Auron~Yes. I wouldn't have called otherwise. With how Ann is, I can't afford being anything less than my baseline.
The door opened and Ann came in with a sandwich.
Ann~Here, daddy. I tried to get two but Barkeep wouldn't let me.
Auron~That's okay, dear. Thank you.
He took the plate then kissed her head, making her giggle. As he took a bite of his sandwich, Ann attached herself to his side.
Auron~Clingier than normal. I guess being away for almost 24 hours got her worried.
Ann~Were you guys talking about something?
Auron~Itinerary for Besaid.
He hoped they would pick up on the invitation to sidestep what they actually spoke about.
Yuna~We're gonna check on Wakka and Lulu first, then clear out the temple.
Ann~What's been going on with the temples? Leblanc said something about fiends?