Game: FFX-2
Pairing: Baralai/Gippal, Baralai/Isaaru
Notes: I'm one of the few people in the world who actively see Baralai/Isaaru as a pairing. However, I know for certain that it will long and drawn out because they are very much alike, 'one thing at a time'. At first, I thought of having the two meet for the first time after game and they're friendly, but awkward, etc. Then I theorized that the two had met previously and well, I think Baralai DID care about Isaaru, but was very cold for reasons we all know and he saw Isaaru as a threat. I think Isaaru was both attracted to and repelled by Baralai. In this story, Isaaru's feelings have not changed, but Baralai is willing to do what he must to make an ally out of Isaaru.
This chapter(The Weaver)simply deals with Isaaru and Maroda talking about what is going on around them.
Isaaru weaved together the fabric of New Yevon as if he had been doing it for years. What he said, went and no one resisted. He didn't have to put up with the "you're not Baralai, so I don't have to listen to you" claptrap which was one of the main reasons why New Yevon fell apart to begin with. The former Summoner didn't give a good goddamn why people did as he said, he just cared that they did. Not that everything in New Yevon suddenly became an example of perfection, it obviously wasn't. People still worried about Baralai and it often showed. Isaaru couldn't blame them and he made certain that his own feelings on the whole matter remained secret.
Under the temple, Isaaru just stared at the huge hole under his feet. He couldn't even gape. It wasn't as though he had never been in this area before, it was that what was once a huge reason why he left Yevon to became a tour guide in Zanarkand was now gone. The former Summoner couldn't begin to imagine why it happened and while he felt as though a great weight lifted off of his shoulders, he also felt like vanishing. He looked around at the pyrefilies, watching the fiends watch him. He held his wrist that was adorned with a charm bracelet that kept the fiends away.
/So Vegnagun is gone/. He thought wanting to dash his brains against the metal floor for even thinking of something so blatently clear. /Obviously Baralai had something to do with this, but it's not just him. It's everyone, including Yuna and her friends/. He took a step back, knowing that if he didn't, he might have been tempted to jump in just to see what was going on.
"It would not surprise me, Baralai, if you took that thing and sought to rule the world with it," Isaaru whispered, narrowing his blue eyes. /But, how can I prove that? It's not as if you'd admit it to anyone/. Sighing, he ran his hands through his auburn hair, making certain that the part of him that actually worried about the young Praetor remain suppressed.
"Isaaru."
Isaaru would have jumped out of his skin if he didn't know that it was only Maroda, but knowing right away that it was his younger brother, he slowly turned around.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No, everything is fine. I was just looking for you."
"Did you need anything, Maroda?" Isaaru asked, walking away from the hole, his booted feet echoing against the floor.
"Just you. I was just wondering what you were doing here." Maroda replied, shrugging.
"I see," Isaaru whispered. He stood beside his brother and together, they looked at the pyreflies meandering around and out of the hole. Neither of them feared any of the fiends and not because of the charm bracelets either. "There's something you want though, what is it?"
"Why did you come down here? Wasn't Vegnagun here?"
Upon mentioning Vegnagun, Isaaru almost jumped, but then sighed when he realized that his younger brother was just close enough to the Meyven Nooj of the Youth League to at least have an idea of what the giant Machina was.
"Yes, it was here," Isaaru finally answered. "Someone obviously took it to the depths of Spira. Whoever has it either wants to rule this world or destroy it."
"How do you know that?" Maroda asked, his dark eyes widened.
"It's obvious. Vegnagun did not just decide to walk off and go on vacation. The three leaders clearly have a connection with it. I know for certain that Baralai does."
"He's a good person, Isaaru."
"Ah yes, Maroda," Isaaru looked at his darker brother. "He's such a good person that you joined the Youth League and I worked with Cid." He shook his head. "Oh yes, it takes a great leader to be able to drive away a well-respected summoner and his equally respected little brothers. Impressive."
"I didn't leave because of him," Maroda snapped. "I left because I agreed more with the Youth League!"
"And you're here to spy on New Yevon," Isaaru said simply, looking down, not believing that he said that, but he knew he did and couldn't take it back.
"No, brother, I came here to help put New Yevon back together. I came here to be with you and Pacce. I put my family first, you know that!"
Isaaru closed his eyes. Yes, he did know. "Forgive me, Maroda. It never occurred to me that we can still be close and yet believe differently." He opened his eyes and smiled weakly.
"I believe that all three groups can work together if they really wanted to," Maroda replied, patting Isaaru's shoulder.
/Oh, really? Naive as always...some things never change/. "All I want is to make certain that New Yevon does not fall apart. Someone on this world has to believe in 'slowly but surely'."
"'Or one thing at a time'," Maroda grinned. "But, I don't buy that. That doesn't mean that we all have to hate each other. We should never have been fighting to begin with."
"Regretting accomplished nothing," Isaaru said quietly. "I know that I am not the wisest person on Spira, but even I know that there will always be some sort of strife. Even in New Yevon, I have no doubt that some sort of line will be drawn."
"But, that's up to you, Isaaru," Maroda shook his head. "I honestly believe that when Baralai gets back, it will all be up to you. He cares for you, you have to know that." When Maroda patted Isaaru on the arm again, he shrank back.
/Oh, please. He only cares about himself and having control. No...that's not--no/. "I-I think you flatter me if you think that it will be up to me..."
"I mean what I say, Isaaru. You've always undermined yourself, but now you have to realize that you're far greater than you think." Maroda insisted. "There's a reason why everyone looks up to you here."
"There is also a reason why Baralai is the youngest Praetor ever and the only Praetor that was neither a summoner or a full Priest." Isaaru retorted, pressing his lips together.
"That doesn't mean you don't have your assets," Maroda said.
Isaaru laughed, "Funny you should mention that now."
"I still believe what I said at the Gagazet Springs."
"Of course," Isaaru nodded. "But, I'll sooner fall into that hole before Baralai decides what my assets are." Before Maroda could respond, the former summoner walked away.
"Hey, wait up!" Maroda called, finally catching up to his elder brother. "I forgot to tell you that you're going to be dealing with Baralai very soon."
"How soon?" Isaaru asked, stopping so abruptly that Maroda almost tripped trying to stay by his side.
"Very. The three are in Luca now. They're going to be giving their speech in less than an hour," Maroda answered, now leading the way to the exit. "Let's hurry. I think it's important to see what they have to say."
"Even I can't deny that," Isaaru whispered, following Maroda's lead and secretly both eager and nervous about seeing Baralai once more.