azurefishnets, 2023-02-15 [original]

Oh, wow, what a stunning look at the time before Auron's decision to turn guardian! I loved so many of the details you threw in there; so much wonderful worldbuilding and interesting thoughts about Bevelle, about Auron's early life, and even Izeel... I grew to really root for her and Bissa by the end! I'm really fond of the details you threw in about Braska and his life following his wife's death too. This was just super cool to read and I really enjoyed that you chose to explore this part of Auron's story!

LookingForDroids, 2023-02-16 [original]

Oh, this is such a cool idea, and you pulled it off beautifully. I absolutely love the idea of giving the Priest’s Daughter her own opinions on the marriage and a role in Auron’s life (and minor point, but I love Izeel and Bissa as Spiran names), and you’ve built up all this fascinating worldbuilding surrounding the Bevelle society and hierarchy we never really get a detailed look at in the game. Izeel and Bissa are fantastic, but I also love how Izeel’s father, flawed though he is, feels well-realized and even like someone who wants the best for his daughter within the confines of their society, rather than only there to be a villain. Meanwhile, the take on Auron’s backstory was excellent, and I can easily see how his experience of being an outsider might have shaped him into the man he became.

I’m sure Kinoc would have wanted you up there with him.”

She felt Auron’s hand stiffen a little in her own, and then he said mildly, “Well, it wouldn’t be right for me to play a part. I’m lucky to have been invited.”

Oh, man, there are so many undercurrents here about Auron and Kinoc and their friendship, and it hits hard.

I also love that Auron’s rejection of her was an act of honor, not for his duty or for Yevon but for a friend, and that he does it forewarned about what it will mean for him and his career — like, it really brings home that for all his rigidity, this man has integrity and a willingness to defy authority and hierarchy in favor of what’s right, which is such a stark contrast to the other warrior monks and the Maesters who rejected him.

Verecunda, 2023-02-21 [original]

First of all, sorry for such a delayed response. (It's been a long week.)

But wow!! Thank you so much for this!! It's super. :D You've taken that one line of backstory and spun it into something fascinating. (The fact that I'm halfway through a replay of FFX right now makes it even better!) There's so much great worldbuilding: I love all the details on the hierarchies and hypocrisies at the top of Yevon society, the tensions of rank and class, how it's very much a world of "who you know, not what you know". I can believe Bevelle is just like that. The stuff about the Al Bhed community in Bevelle is great too, with their black market machina. Love it!

I love the friendship between Auron and Izeel here, it's so sincere and open, how it's very obviously founded on genuine camaraderie and respect. Auron is such a sweetheart here, and it's rather heartbreaking to see him so open and optimistic about the future - so different even from how he is by the time of Braska's pilgrimage. That bit about him teaching himself to dance was adorable - I can just see him Very Seriously going through the moves. XD

I really love how you've used Izeel's situation as the catalyst for Auron's first encounter with Braska. The way Auron makes a point of getting to know Bissa for Izeel's sake, then seeking out Braska, who has the experience that could help her. YES. That is exactly the sort of ride and or die friend he is! And oh, Braska was quite heartbreaking here. I'm so used to the serene, noble figure of the game, that seeing him struggling so much, with his loss so new, really went to my heart. ;___;

There are so many other good touches, too: Kinoc as the budding politico, the hints to his uneasy friendship with Auron. To echo a previous commenter, I also love the nuance you give Izeel's father. He could have just been a cartoon bad guy, but he's clearly a guy who loves his daughter and who wants to do the best for her, within the only framework he knows. Their complicated relationship was very well done. Izeel and Bissa are sweet, too, and I wish them well for the future. :)

The ending was perfect. Again, to echo comments above, I really love how to have Auron fully aware of what he's losing when he turns down the marriage offer. It's a profound sacrifice made for the sake of a friend, and if that isn't just Auron all over, I don't know what is. And it puts him perfectly in position for his second encounter with Braska in the epilogue. Very nicely done!

Again, thank you very much for this! I thought this request was a bit of a long-shot, and this goes above and beyond anything I had expected to get for it. :D The fact that I'm currently replaying FFX makes it even better - it's the ideal accompaniment. Thank you, and a belated happy Valentine's Day to you! 💖

SuperNerd92, 2023-03-22 [original]

LOVE how this fleshed out Auron turning down the arranged marriage, with another Yevonite/Al Bhed pairing tying so naturally into his meeting Braska, and how canon goes from there. Izeel is a very enjoyable character too. And as usual your Spira feels so real, with all the petty politics of the upper ranks of a religious oligarchy.