Yuna is horrified. “You- you shouldn’t have- if you didn’t- if you don’t like- I’m so sorry, Aten!”

"But- but you were you needed- something."

“I...” She did. That’s true, she needed comfort. But for him to make himself hurt to make her feel better, that’s... 

“It isn’t right! You shouldn’t have to do that if you don’t like it. I- thank you, for what you did. I really appreciate it. I just don’t want you to feel bad.”

"O-oh. I-" (No-one (nearly) had cared about that before. Even in his barely remembered life before he was here.)

Yuna smiles at Aten, a little weak, but still a smile. 

“Never forget yourself, Aten. You’re just as important as anyone else. I trust you with my life, I hope you can trust me with at least making you a little happier.”

He flickers a little. "I- I'll try."

“If...if I do something to make you sad, just tell me. And I’ll stop. I’ll pay more attention to the bond, I promise.” 

Kimhari interrupts to hand her toast, and nods approvingly at Aten. 

“Your eyes- they’re so red. Are you all right?” Lulu croons to Yuna, cupping her face once she reaches her. 

“Oh, yes. I’m fine. Slept poorly but Aten helped with that.”

Aten flickers in a way that might be intended to be agreement, but doesn't say anything.

“If everyone’s ready, we go.”

Yuna waves Aten over and hurries to join Auron. 

Aten follows obediently, but is giving Auron a slightly wider berth than usual.

Yuna worries about that. 

The rest of the day passes the same as yesterday, with a few fiends attacking but all easily defeated by the guardians and Aten. 

Soon, a building can be seen on the horizon, brightly coloured and surrounded by a ramshackle market. 

“We rest here,” Auron says. 

Yuna pokes through the market outside with Lulu, investigating the Al Bhed artifacts curiously. 

Aten makes himself as unnoticeable as possible.

There's a couple(?) nearby, the woman dressed like an Al Bhed, and playing a stringed instrument with a bow, dancing as she does so.

Her companion is stood watching, face entirely concealed by a vibrant carnival mask.

Yuna starts swaying to the music, grinning, and then heads over to give the violin player a few gil in thanks. 

Lulu keeps an eye on them, but isn’t too suspicious of them. She knows the Al Bhed have suffered much recently. 

The violinist is gracious and thankful.

"I am grateful I could bring even a small measure of joy to you, Lady Summoner."

Yuna goes to perform the prayer, but her hands stop. Should she do that when she knows that Yevon isn’t real? 

“Thank you so much,” she settles for instead. “You play beautifully.”

"Thank you," she says again, bowing slightly. "I try to bring solace in the ways I can. I wish you skill and good fortune on your journey."