Last Advice (chapter 41 of 49, 8831 words)
As the travellers move onto Mount Gagazet, the fiends and cold climate prove challenging. Auron learns what he can from the Ronso; Braska takes a final sphere for Yuna, with Jecht's encouragement.
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I suppose if Jecht knew about the reasons behind Auron's complicated relationship with his sexuality, he would perhaps be a bit more understanding about the fact that Auron doesn't like talking about it much, which is part of why he doesn't thank Jecht for his services, but that's not going to go far towards assuaging Jecht's growing insecurity.
It had once been bright white, but was now stained with grass and dried blood among other things.
It's called come, Auron.
I think the version of Braska that Auron is in love with is really the way he was before Girl died, but of course Auron is hoping that that version of him will eventually come back again.
I don't think Jecht's explanation of his bare feet makes sense in the real world, but I had to include some reference to it at some point because the idea of traipsing around all of Spira with no shoes on is so ridiculous. Also Braska's "I think it's a little late for that" is a casual reference to his impending death, which I'm sure is going to make Auron feel great!
I was actually going to kill off Mimme in a later chapter at one point, but it would have disrupted the flow of the narrative so he's been spared.
I think at this point Auron is still very sceptical about the relevance of "stories", but this is something that will change over the next ten years to the point that he starts cryptically saying the word to Tidus all the time.
Kelk, like Jyscal, isn't yet a maester at this point; according to Ultimania, I think, they both get made maesters shortly after the Calm starts, and this fits well into the story for reasons that will become clear in the final chapter.
I like the idea that Auron has been saying all his stock battle phrases even in this setting. Or alternatively, the tragic interpretation: "no time to waste, let's go" isn't a stock phrase yet, but FFX-era Auron fumes himself repeating it as a way of paying tribute to his companions and remembering this particular relatively light-hearted moment.
It's interesting that Braska now finds it "embarrassing" to admit he wants to die to the aeons: it's maybe a sign that he doesn't actually want to quite as much as he once did, or that he's aware deep down that Auron isn't happy about it … but too little too late, I guess.
The authorities want to keep an eye on the summoners' parties who get close to Zanarkand, given that they want to ensure the number of people who know the truth about the Final Aeon is at a minimum – so they pay the Ronso to find the places where they've fallen and report back, telling the Ronso it's a way of honouring the dead. I don't think the game tells us it's the Ronso who place the grave markers, but surely that's the simplest explanation – they must have the ability to traverse the mountain even when the fiends are so dangerous.
The aeons have indeed decided to make Braska's headache less severe after he accepts the gift from Jecht – they want to encourage the two of them to bond as strongly as possible, so they're hoping he comes to associate this kind of exchange with not being in as much pain (just as they sometimes hurt him more when he's clinging to Auron). They're not really making it obvious enough for him to understand though.
"You must be very beautiful – like your mother."
And there it is, Braska's worst line! This is what made me into a "Braska's worryingly obsessed with his dead wife" truther.
He was a firm believer that everyone should choose their own fate
I think this is something that Braska and Auron have in common, even if Auron wishes Braska didn't make the particular decision about his fate that he did. Jecht is a bit less quick to believe this.
Anyway, I thought it was weird that Braska tells Yuna all this "you have to choose your own path" stuff in this sphere apropos of nothing, so that was the main reason why I put in all the things about summoners' children being expected to become summoners themselves.
In the background of the sphere, we see Jecht approaching Auron and then abruptly turning around as soon as he gets close, so this seems to fit well with Auron's mood at the moment.
She would be a better person than he had ever been; he was sure of that.
You're right there, boyo.
I'm sure Auron loves being told it's because of him that Braska has come this close to his own death! Thanks, Braska!
To Braska's credit, he does seem slightly ashamed of having to ask Auron to keep him warm.
Auron has obviously been "using" Jecht as well recently, but at least both of them are aware of that.
Auron is about to join Jecht in the fine tradition known as "having a wank while keeping watch".