Cam Hall, Clan Blue Headquarters

[Thief]

Located in Balfonheim just one block away from the pub, Cam Hall is where the members of Clan Blue call home. The 2-storey building itself doesn't stand out much from the rest of the area, so that they don't draw too much attention to themselves.

Upon entering, one finds him/her self in a lobby, with a number of chairs and tables around the room for members to relax in. Behind a door in the back of the lobby is a hallway, leading to a few other rooms including a bathroom and kitchen, and at the end is a staircase leading to the 2nd floor.

On the 2nd floor, another hallway connects to each of the members' bedrooms. At the end of that hallway is a door leading to Thief's office, complete with a desk and a few chairs. Within the office is a door leading to Thief's bedroom, which isn't much different from the others.

[Auron]

"Eternal Rest?" said a man clad in a red coat as he stood before the run down building that served as headquarters to Clan Blue. "Who said a man can calmly enjoy his afterlife in the Farplane?"

Even now, months after he was sent and arrived in this strange place, so different from Spira, Auron still found trouble understanding what had happened. He was a dead man. Moreover, he was sent by Yuna. So why was he trapped in this strange land? It bothered him. It made him wonder.

Of one thing, though, Auron was completely certain. Whatever had happened to him, his body was not dead anymore. He was not an unsent like he had been for years and years. His body, it was alive again. It was made of flesh and bones and tissue and skins and not of pyreflies.

Auron entered the Headquarters of his clan, the old wooden floor creaking under his heels at each step he took. The lobby was completely deserted (something unusual for that time of the day) except for a Bangaa caretaker (something unusual at any time of the day). He took a sit at one of the empty tables, carefully placing his blade over the table, uncorked the jug he always carried around with himself and drank some sake.

"This city," he said aloud, even though he was completely aware there was no one to hear him. In fact, he only said it aloud because there was no one to hear him. "There are all these sky pirates, but it is not such a bad place. It reminds me of Luca in a certain sense. It doesn't have Blitzball, obviously, but it is bustling with all this different people..."

The legendary guardian took another gulp of sake and stopped talking, lost in his own thoughts and wonders and doubts. About Spira, about Ivalice, about himself.

[Thief]

As he sat in his office, Thief was going through some paperwork that needed to be taken care of. Ever since he became the leader of Clan Blue, he had to spend most of his days dealing with such paperwork, making sure that things were organized within the clan. It wasn't what he had in mind when he ascended to this position, but his advisor, a Moogle from Ivalice, had informed him that this was necessary.

At least he knew that this day would turn out better soon enough. Thief had received a Mark an hour ago, and he felt that this would be a good one for him to go along with members of his clan. It would be the first one where he'd be able to see some action himself; with the first couple of Marks, he had too much to deal with here. Thief really wanted to prove himself out on the field, and now that his paperwork had been reduced to a more manageable workload by this time, he was going to get that chance.

Once he had his paperwork out of the way, Thief drank some water from his glass, then looked at the bill containing information on the Mark, as well as a sheet listing the members of Clan Blue. It was time for him to consider who was going to come with him on this mission. Thief took his time to think about this one; he wanted to make sure he brought the right people.

[Zell]

Zell walked the streets of Balfonheim gawking at the scenery as a a child does in a toy store. This place is so different from Balamb, the streets are crowded with merchants and people. The people here don't even seem to care that I'm a newfolk. Zell stopped at one of the stores set up along the street and looked over what they had before coming across a necklace that had an almost identical crest to the one Squall used to wear. He sighed as looked at the necklace. It seems so long ago when we all defeated Ultimecia, haven't seen Selphie or anyone since then. We all kinda scattered after that, I hope they're ok. Zell continued on his way staring at each building and person he came across, so much so that he made some bangaas mad by staring to long.

After touring the city again Zell returned to the building they used as HQ. These clans are fun, they have all the excitement of garden and SeeD minus the constant grades and yelling. Zell walked through the doors of the clan hall and noticed that the bangaa guy was tidying up the place. "Well, this is new where is everyone?" Zell looked around before finally landing his gaze upon a guy in a bright red coat who had a monstrous looking sword sitting on the table.

Zell walked over to the table and sat in one of the empty seats across from the guy. "Hey, hows it going? The names Zell." Zell then extended his hand to Auron with a goofy smile on his face.

[Auron]

It is impressive how chains of thought can be broken just as easily as a kid can break a new toy or a dry branch. Some chains of thought that would have led to answers for the world's unanswered questions have been broken just like that. And this is what happened to Auron at Clan Blue's hall.

One second he was thinking of the reason things happened to him, and the next there was a young man – with hair as outrageous as Tidus' and a tattoo even more outrageous than the Zanarkandian's clothes – was sitting in front of him, the hand stretched out to him.

He took another gulp of his sake and started observing the young man carefully. He could not be an Ivalicean, not with such an avant garde – for the lack of a better word – appearance. Spira did have its share of strange people, but this boy could easily take the cake because of the tattoo that covered the left side of his face. Of course, Jetch had a tattoo on his chest, but on the face? Now that is something you don't see everyday.

"The name is Auron," he said after a while, though he did not take the boy's hand. It was safe to assume the boy was a member of the clan and was pretty much in the same situation he was in – except for the dead part.

[Braska]

Braska walked along the street of the unfamiliar city, looking for the building he sought. His hood was up as usual and his robes made him stand out notably among the citizens. Braska knew he would fit in better, if he changed his outfit to something more common, but in this strange new world, he couldn't help but cling to the only thing that was familiar, the only thing that felt safe and comfortable.

He shifted his grasp on the staff, holding it a little closer to himself in order to minimize the risk of it striking someone in front of, or behind himself. Braska's gaze focused on the building near him, looking carefully for the correct one, certain that he was drawing near. Ah. There it is

Braska removed the hand he held lower of the staff's haft and opened the door with it. He entered the room, carefully angling the staff so that it would not catch on the door frame and become damaged. He shut the door behind him, and moved in to the lobby and out of the door, so anyone who entered behind him would be able to do so.

Once Braska was properly clear of the entrance he looked around the lobby. The first thing that caught his attention was a pair speaking to one side, the next was the monstrosity of a sword that caught and held his gaze. That reminds me of Auron's sword He thought, before turning his attention back to the pair.

A tattoo ... on his face? Braska thought, forehead wrinkling slightly before he turned his gaze to the other. "Auron?" He said aloud, without quite realizing that he had done so.

[Zell]

Zell pulled his hand back and slouched as he looked at Auron. "Yeah, nice to meet yeah, dude." Zell then dropped his head into his hand and let out a sigh. Man, this guy is just like Squall! Is it so hard to have a personality?!

Zell stood from the seat and stretched. "Ah! I can't stand this slow mood! Something needs to happen!" Just as he finished Zell heard the man's voice yell for Auron behind him. "Hmm? That a friend of yours?" Zell looked back at Auron pointing over his shoulder.

[Auron]

There are certain occasions when people do not trust their senses. They just refuse to accept what they saw, heard, smelled and felt because of some kind of inner lock created by their minds as a security barrier that blocks aways events they would rather forget. When that lock is opened – or forcefully broken – there is no telling how those recently surfaced memories and feelings will affect people.

"Lord Braska?" Auron asked in a calm but deep voice, not trusting his hearing, not trusting himself. Lord Braska died all those years ago... It can't be him. It can't! The man in the red coat rose from his seat, ignoring the remarks of the young man sit in front of him – in fact Auron didn't even heard what he said – and looked towards the source of the voice. There stood a man that uncannily resembled Braska, but it can't be. Auron did not trust his vision, did not trust himself.

Even though all those years had passed since Braska died in his successful endeavor against Sin, this Braska looked just as young as he had been then, as intense as he had been then, as friendly as he had been then. "Lord Braska..." Auron said again, but this time it wasn't a question. This man who resembled Braska so intensely could not be anyone other than Braska himself, and Auron knew it somewhere deep inside him.

[Braska]

The warm smile that had begun to play on his lips abruptly vanished at the calm, questioning tone that the first words were bathed in. Without the smile, he was left with a serene, but friendly expression. Why is he so confused, to see me? It's almost as if he thought me dead. I admit...it's been a while since I last saw him but... Braska's confused thoughts were reflected in his eyes.

As Braska truly studied his friend, he blinked taking in all of the differences that he had not perceived in the first place. All of the things he had momentarily been blind to, in the excitement of seeing Auron again. Gray hair, among the black he remembered well, it clashed with his perception of time and his memories.

The scar that seemed to have taken the sight from Auron's right eye caused his forehead to wrinkle as he noted the extent of it. "What happened?" He whispered, voice barely escaping his lips.

"It's nice to see you again, Auron." He said as warmly as he could, hoping that it would cover the confusion in his eyes. Part of him knew that Auron would read the thoughts in his mind, knew that Auron would know full well that he was confused, no matter how well he hid it, and yet...he had to try.

Why is it, Friend, that you look to have gone through 10 or 15 years more than you did the day before we came here? Braska couldn't get it out of his head, couldn't stop asking himself the question and adding up the facts. Even though, every time he did he came up with the same answer. It doesn't add up. He thought frustratedly, before returning his attention to Auron, and waiting.

[Auron]

When friendship is true, you can always tell to certain extent what your friend is thinking. Auron could see it on Braska's face, on his actions. The High Summoner was probably as confused with this awkward, unexpected reunion as he was. Hell, who wouldn't after what happenned?

The man in the red coat had thought that his journey with Yuna and the vanquishing of Sin had finally put these feelings – the very same feelings that had made him stay in Spira as an unsent – to rest, but upon seeing Braska they rose once again inside of him. The grief of loosing his two friends, the frustration of being completely powerless as they vanished from existence. Auron could feel those feelings swirling wildly inside his head, intoxicating his mind.

"It..." Auron started saying, but he couldn't go on. "It is nice to see you again?" How could he say something like that without being and sounding and feeling artificial. What could he say that did not let those feelings evident in his voice? Of course, he was glad to see his friend walking among the living again, but he had never expected that could ever happen. Not even in his wildest dreams. "I thought I would never see you again, my friend," he said finally, his voice weak but still audible. "Not after what happened to you and Jecht..."

[Zell]

Zell stood silently as Auron and the priest looking guy met. Seems these guys have some stuff to catch up in and I'm bored. Zell turned away from the two and began looking around the clan hall. He came upon the stairs and went up until he got to his room and then plopped onto the bed.

Seeing those two made me think of the others. I wonder if they made it here, if not I doubt they've realized I'm gone. Zell smiled and then stood and began punching the air, as he always did to pass the time.

[Paine]

As Rinoa walked down the hall, she stretched out her arms leisurely, glad that she finally seemed to have all her strength back now. She had come to Ivalice a month ago and had been barely able to walk from the weakness and hopelessness she had felt.

It had been hard those first few weeks, when she realized that Squall wasn't going to be able to come save her after all, but she managed. At least Zell was around, however much of a saving grace that was...

She knocked on the door to his bedroom.

"Zell, are you in there? It's Rinoa," she said.

[Braska]

Braska tilted his head to the side very slightly, listening to Auron speak. What happened to me and Jecht? Why would....what is going on! There was frustration in those thoughts. He was glad to see Auron again, but the confusion that it was causing was just that - frustrating and stressful. So many questions...but no answers....

Braska found that he wanted to ask what precisely had happened to he and Jecht, something told him, quite clearly, that it wasn't the separation that had brought them to Ivalice. There was something else, as if he had seen something happen that Braska himself didn't remember. It sounds almost as if he thought... Braska cast away the thought, unwilling to consider it.

"How have you been, Auron?" Braska asked after a long moment, deciding not to indulge the more curious part of his mind just yet.

[Zell]

Zell continued to punch away the air in his room until he heard a knock at his door, when he heard Rinoa's voice a sense of dread poured over him. You idiot! How could you forget Rinoa was here?! He shook the feeling off and opened the door.

"Yo, Rinoa! Whats up?" Zell said with his signature laid back smile.

[Auron]

Auron knew Braska well enough to know the High Summoner seemed troubled. Perhaps too troubled. Why did it looked like he did not remember his fight with Sin and his... death. Auron shivered at that word that once separated him from his friends. "Why is it that he doesn't seem to remember the things that happened?"

Lord Braska, however, apparently decided to steer away from that troubling subject and struck out a rather casual question. "Me?" Auron asked, more to himself than to Braska. Figuring out how he felt after all that happened to him was no easy task, that's for sure. "I'm... tired," he said finally. "All these long years have been... rough. And when I thought I would finally find some rest, I suddenly appeared in this place."

Auron did not intend to say that last sentence aloud – not with such troubled Braska in front of him – but it escaped through his lips almost automatically, as if they had always been there, at the tip of his toungue, just waiting for a chance of freedom. The warrior in red considered asking the same question back at his friend, just as etiquette demanded, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Asking how Braska felt, after everything that happened, just seemed uncannily artificial.