Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Dreams Come True ❯ Spira Conference ( Chapter 6 )

I'd expected the leaders to arrive one by one, in their own separate parades. Instead they came in one giant spectacle - you could have seen the lines of mounted chocobo escorts and carriages from miles away, even in the rain.

The greatest spectacle of all was of course Cid's entrance, his great airship hovering next to the house just long enough to drop him off. Many of the representatives coming wouldn't recognize the name of Bikanel Island, but I firmly refused to support any segregation between the Al Bhed and the rest of the world. Cid would represent the little haven.

Kelk Ronso, coming from Mount Gagazet.

Nav Guado, newly elected in Guadosalam.

Shelinda, surprisingly, representing Bevelle and its people.

Maechen, representing the Calm Lands.

And men and women I'd never seen before, representing region after region.

Kilika. Mi'ihen. Moonflow. Djose. The Thunder Plains.

And Besaid - funny thing, how I now had to watch over the priests who raised me.

Place after place, representative after representative. Would the conference room *hold* this many people?

I found Lulu fixing up the room when I went looking for her to ask - she assured me it would, then ushered me out to go welcome everyone. Tidus was curled up cat-like, fast asleep on the little loveseat by the window in the living room. So it *was* fully up to me. The rest of my guardians would no doubt appear to join me later.

So I waited for them to pile out of their carriages. And when they did, I waited in the reception room while Lulu recieved them. She'd graciously cleaned up this room, too, setting out plenty of hot tea and cookies for everyone.

One at a time they came in the room, ritually bowed in respect, and took a seat on one of the comfortable sofas. I grinned as every one of them showed relief at how comfortable the seating was -- they had expected hard, uncomfortable conference chairs. Once all ten of them had seated themselves comfortably, I began.

"I welcome all of you to my household." I smiled at each of them in turn; Cid grinned and winked reassuringly. "I hope you find that getting here wasn't a problem?"

They all shook their heads, murmuring no's with smiles or respectful looks.

"I had hoped to solely discuss one thing at this meeting; what we are to do about Spira's current lack of a religion. But it seems there are other matters to care for as well. Those I will further explain soon. But first of all I must explain how things are going to work with me." I couldn't help take a deep breath - this entire speech was a breach of every part of my character. It was direct and blunt, whereas I was shy and, to a point, skittish. Openly spoken by a leader - I was not an 'open' person, nor did I see myself as any kind of leader. *I did not choose this job - this job chose me. I just...have to do the best I can.*

But I had to continue. "As long as I am in office as High Maestress, each of you will have your opinions heard. You are my subordinates, but you are still leaders, and you didn't get there by being foolish. Each of you is affected by my decisions, and each of you will have an effect on my decision as a whole. I must stress that. And...relax. Please. We're here to discuss; you're not in a university listening to a professor's lecture. Have some tea and cookies. "

They all laughed; the tension was broken. I'd won their trust. Several reached for the available snacks, and I waited happily while they took what they wanted and talked a little among themselves. The one thing I wanted to accomplish here today, if nothing else, was to get them to realize I would not be like the dictatorial Yevonic leaders of years past. I needed them to relax around me - yes, I would demand a certain level of respect, but I could not comply with the idea of simply making them automatons, obediently carrying out the orders of someone who, without the input of those automatons, could not get a full picture of what was going on.

After letting them make themselves at ease for a few minutes, I cut in by clearing my throat - just as I expected, they immediately fell silent and listened. It brought a smile to my lips.

"Before we begin assessing the 'religion' subject, there is one more thing I need to ask of you. Be very honest with Spira's people, even if the truth hurts. I would like everyone here to dispel *any and all* rumors or grudges against the Al Bhed, the Guado, the Hypello, or the Ronso. I refuse to tolerate segregation in my Spira. Is that clear?"

They all nodded in obvious approval, especially Kelk Ronso, Nav Guado and Uncle Cid - those three just downright beamed.

"Very good. Thank you. Now...I've come to a few conclusions about what we might be able to do as far as any post-Yevonic religion goes. Yevon is dead, so thus is his religion. There will still be some people who believe in him; I say we let them be. It will certainly offend someone if you try to force a different religion down his throat when he doesn't want to be converted. I'm pretty sure Spira's people will want to keep a few of the rituals - the Hymn, perhaps, and maybe even the hand-gestures. I would think it would comfort them - the Hymn gives them faith and hope, regardless of whether Yevon lives or not. They've known it all their lives. Yevon is gone, Sin is dead; so are the aeons. Perhaps we should do something about instilling a new religion in Spira's people - perhaps we should do nothing and see what the people come to believe on their own. What do you all think?"

Shelinda was first to respond. "I think that in time, people will develop their own religious beliefs again, even without the government's input. But what about the temples?"

"Ah...the temples. I'd almost forgotten about those. What should we do with them? Certainly not knock them down, the buildings are far too beautiful and precious. There must be uses for them." I commented aloud, then looked to everyone for a response.

The Ronso leader spoke then, voice somber and deep. "I say we make the temples monuments."

"To *Sin?*" The young Guado man coughed. "That won't make people too happy..."

Kelk turned his head to look down at the Guado seated next to him. "To the fight against Sin. So people do not forget. People must not forget."

I nodded eagerly. "Yes! That's a wonderful idea. Monuments to the fight against Sin -- to the summoners and the victims."

Maechen looked thoughtful, distant. "...They should tell the story. Each temple will tell the story of Sin, and how Spira fought against it. Yes...the temples shall tell the story - a tale about this thing that happened, a tale about the summoners. They should tell the story of every summoner that brought a Calm. Who their family was - what they lost. Who they loved, who preceded them and descended from them. Who their guardians were."

"Yes, yes. These are wonderful ideas," It was almost too good to believe - I didn't even dare *dream* that this would go so smoothly. "Are there any objections? Anything to add?"

"What about you, Yuna?" Uncle Cid spoke up, for the first time. "If it tells the history of the summoners and Sin, what will we say for you? You're not dead; your story isn't finished."

I meant to smile through my lips, but the only smile that would come out glowed between the eyes of me and my uncle. "That is why we will place me last. We will tell my story as it happens. After that, we leave it blank. The future cannot be written ahead of time, you know?"

Cid's proud eye-smile spread to his mouth. "That's my girl."

"Lady Yuna," A voice ventured cautiously, belonging to a middle-aged Al Bhed woman who I vaguely recognized from my trip through the Thunder Plains. "What about Zanarkand?"

"Mm? Zanarkand....leave that as it be. Leave the Zanarkand ruins as the ultimate monument to our struggles. That's what I say...anyone have any other ideas?"

"I have this funny halfway-notion," Shelinda thought aloud. "about how it would be if we rebuilt Zanarkand."

"Rebuilt...heavens, that would take ages. But it could be done," I really wasn't approving of the notion, but I had to give everyone time to let the idea sink into their heads. They would all weigh the pro's and con's wisely.

Shelinda spoke again. "Yes, it would take a long time. Hmm...yes, I think you were right the first time. Better to let it be. Forgive me, Lady,"

"No, no, it's good that you all speak your minds - even if the thought is fleeting. If it's of any relevance, say it, by all means."

"Maestress, if we're going to convert the temples into monuments, who should be appointed to do it?"

"If there's a temple in your control, I suppose you should make out a plan as to what you think it should look like once it's renovated. Bring it to me, and we'll discuss it from there. That sound alright?"

They all agreed; obviously still too surprised at their freedom of control to grasp it very well.

*Balance, Yuna, girl, balance -- don't let them have too much power or they'll take it and run like hell. Don't give them too little or they'll feel oppressed and dictated; then all your work is undone. Careful with this.*

It took a long time to get everything sorted out, but when it was all said and done, I realized that we'd reached the best conclusions to all unanswered questions. They knew it, too, and respected me for it - I didn't bother to reiterate to them that it was all their ideas to begin with. I could not have imagined it going more smoothly. But now I had to lead them over a rocky hill or two.

"Now that that's all settled...my other issues need to be brought up. I can't explain it very well until you see it...so...will you all please come with me?"

So the ten representatives got up and followed me curiously through the halls of the house. It was a very short trip to the living room, but it seemed like forever.

My eyes fell instantly on Tidus, of course, and darted to Jecht, then back to Tidus and stayed there. Some of my fellows saw Tidus first too - others saw his father, lazily lounging on the other sofa. There were murmurs of surprise; gasps; and near exclamations as well, but those were muffled. My Tidus was sleeping, and they would not disturb him. Jecht saw us enter though, and got up to approach us.

"Sir Jecht..." I smiled, bowing respectfully. "I'd like to introduce Spira's representatives."

So I did, one by one, and they all bowed to him as well. There were several utterings of the word 'how?', and Jecht answered for both of us.

"I don't have a damn clue. But I'm not about to complain."

It was then that I gestured to my lover, dozing in the loveseat by the window.

"And everyone...Sir Tidus."