Amal followed Chiron and Harris with her eyes, feeling less tense the farther away the pair of them went.  The Blitzer was… something else, that was for sure.  Someone best kept at a distance, Amal decided, at least for now.  When the duo found a place at the end of the line for food, the mage allowed herself to consider Ethan's apology carefully.  Of course she'd been frustrated with him, as first appearances truly had made it seem like he'd abandoned them, but the mage still hadn't forgiven herself for rushing to such terrible conclusions about his motivation.<br/><br/>He'd promised his life in return for a power that might save Spira.  She owed this man her life and someday the rest of Spira might, as well.<br/><br/>That he'd made mention of that situation at all, and worse he'd actually apologized, made Amal feel more ashamed of herself.  She straightened her shoulders but couldn't shake the feeling Ethan was looking at her the same way her brother might if he'd been preparing to lay into her for one thing or another she'd done to displease him.<br/><br/>When he'd, instead, taken their conversation in an entirely different direction, Amal felt herself relax and almost smile.  It was likewise, she realized; Ethan didn't know her any more than she knew him.  If he did, he would have expected Amal to feel worry and fear for someone she'd practically just met.  Though new, Ethan was her friend and she knew what waited for him at the end of this road.<br/><br/>What sort of friend would she be to him if she felt any other way?<br/><br/>Closing her eyes for a brief moment, the mage reopened them to really look at the priest.  She stared at him like it was the first time, her gaze piercing straight through him like she meant to read the real emotion behind his attempt at humor.  Maybe he'd thought he could fool her but Amal had noticed the way his smile hadn't quite reached his eyes.  He was still struggling with… something.<br/><br/>She wanted to tell him bottling up his emotions wasn't going to protect anyone from the reality of the path he'd chosen, himself least of all.  Eventually, he would have to address it.  Whether Chiron, Harris, or herself found themselves a part of the discussion remained to be seen.  But she was wise enough to understood she wasn't the person he'd open up to about everything that must have been going through his mind.<br/><br/>But why had he done it?<br/><br/>He was a priest of Yevon, sure, but not every priest decided to become a Summoner.  Besaid was just one village so his decision had to be more deeply rooted than it seemed.<br/><br/>Hadn't it been enough he'd dedicated his life to the teachings?  How had he come to the decision to now give it so willingly for the cause?  What about these people he would save made him believe they'd atone… that it would be his Calm to reign eternal?<br/><br/>As she considered her response, she wondered over what it was Ethan needed to hear from her.  He seemed to be waiting for her response, though.  If they'd had the opportunity to get to know each other a little better, he would have understood Amal wasn't much for conversation.  She didn't have a way with words and the thought of opening up to anyone terrified her more than she would ever admit.  But Ethan hadn't asked her to open up… he'd never asked her for anything.<br/><br/>Though she might have been projecting her own emotions onto him, Amal felt confident she had sensed the slightest hint of uncertainty behind the way he'd teasingly professed his future as the next High Summoner of Spira.<br/><br/>The mage knew this moment would define their friendship, so she decided honesty without judgement was her best response.  She owed him that much.  Shaking her head, she allowed a few stray curls to fall forward to obscure her face, "I'm sure that I have, Ethan, if that's the path your heart has led you to follow.  It won't be an easy journey, but if you've set it to your mind I have no doubt you'll do just as you say."<br/><br/>As he tried handing her the Moogle, the mage offered him a reassuring smile which was quickly replaced with a disappointed frown.<br/><br/>The Moogle held tight to the priest, wrapping both of its plush arms around Ethan's wrist like it might die to be separated from him.  After a few gentle tugs from the mage, the Moogle lost its grip and made a pathetic squeak of protest.  Amal held her companion out in front of her with both hands, sighing in exasperation, as the Moogle reached out for Ethan and frantically attempted to run through the air.<br/><br/>Looking up at the priest, she shook her hair out of her face before explaining, "It will wear itself out eventually."<br/><br/>Almost on cue, the Moogle stopped moving and fell limp in Amal's hands.  The only way one could tell it had fallen asleep was the gentle rise and fall of the yellow orb atop its head.  Her Moogle was… unique, to say the least.  Cradling the Moogle in both hands as she laid it gently beside her, the mage shrugged and let her eyes wander back to where Chiron and Harris had hardly progressed through the line.<br/><br/>When the duo noticed Amal's eyes were focused on them, both quickly looked away.  The mage had a sneaking suspicion Harris was beginning to enlighten the warrior on what Ethan had done.  She let her eyes linger on Chiron for a moment longer before returning her attention to the priest, “He will try to change your mind, you know.”<br/><br/>Brushing her bangs away from her eyes, her fingertips brushed against the scar that ran backwards from her temple and into her auburn hair.  She was reminded of the last time she'd survived Sin’s attack; she thought of Agustin.  Poor Auggie and all he'd done to keep her safe from the curse he must have known would come again.<br/><br/>Amal studied Ethan carefully, watching his expression and wondering what Sin must have taken from him… if he would become a Summoner.  She clenched her hand into a fist where it rested in her lap.  How could he make Chiron understand?