The women of Bevelle either grew up to be nuns, priestesses, or healers. They seldom remained inactive and constantly worked to help the temples. Marriages were usually arranged in order to keep the faith tight-knit and strictly controlled, because any transgression meant that Sin would reappear and surely destroy them all. It was, for the most part, a woman's choice whether or not she would marry, but her choices were few. The priests of Yevon were not allowed to take a wife; their sole duty was to the temples. Yevon Maesters were allowed to take wives; as Maester Jyscal Guado had wed a human priestess during his travels and even bore a son. Yet because of the ever-impending threat of Sin, the happiness of marriage was short-lived and usually ended in tragedy. Couples were also afraid to bear children in fear of losing them. During the Calm, marriages and births were many, but when the eighth and ninth year of the Calm came about, people took extra care of their duties as sons and daughters of Yevon. Priests rarely had children, as the orphans of Spira had overwhelmed them enough and their responsibilities toward them were the first priority.

There were a few exceptions, however. Yasmina was a beautiful healer that was born of a priest of Yevon, Father Durram. High Priest Durram had special privilege to marry and he was a veteran amongst younger priests. As if the trials of Sin weren't enough, however, Yasmina's mother had died during childbirth and her father had plunged into deep despair. Since then, he devoted his life solely to the teachings and Yasmina was left in the care of the temples rather than of her own father. When she reached fifteen, he commanded that she become a priestess for salvation, but she gained a talent for the healing arts at a young age. She had always been a quick learner and gentle in nature, so when the nuns and other priestesses asked for her help across Spira, she gladly accepted. Her first trip was to Djose when she was twelve, then to Luca when she was fourteen. By the time she was sixteen years of age, she had been to all the major towns and cities of the mainland and was inducted into the clergy as an official healer. When she was assigned to help in her home town, she spent as much time outside of Bevelle as possible. There were many reasons for her estrangement from the holy city; the main one being that nobody needed her services, as there were plenty of clergy to go around. Instead, she frequented the Calm Lands and Macalania Forest, finding refuge from the political atmosphere of Bevelle. In her travels, she discovered that her talent brought her joy and love for the people of Spira and she craved for their company, so even when a healer was not needed, she made sure that a random pilgrim had someone to talk to.

Seeing Kinoc again made her happy; she prayed for the welfare and safety of all warrior monks, as their job was most perilous and the danger increased tenfold when Sin was back to terrorize Spira. She was sure she had seen Auron in the temples before, but because she tried to spend as much time outside Bevelle as possible, she felt ashamed that she had not acknowledged him as she should have. His name was familiar and she was sure if she mentioned it to other warrior monks, they would tell her more about him. However, Kinoc's notion of hospitality did not escape her. He was trying to introduce her to Auron for one reason, and one reason only – for the prospect of marriage. It was a concept she was constantly presented with and one she constantly dismissed. The nuns had expressed their deepest wishes for her to be married, and her father had made his wishes known that he wanted her to find a husband by the age of eighteen, but she was too devoted to her people. Marriage, in her mind, would simply constrict her of the duties she'd sworn to perform. She was a servant of Yevon, first and foremost. Besides, marrying a priest was really the last thing she needed.

Yasmina sighed and quickly made a silent apology.

It's not that I don't like the clergy, she prayed, a priest would probably make the perfect husband.

She immediately shook her head and stopped thinking about it. What is the perfect husband? Who am I to demand someone so worthy?

It was definitely one of the reasons she had decided to remain unmarried. Marriage simply complicated things. Sometimes it brought people together in faith and love – and then Sin would ultimately step in as the dreadful hand of fate. Other times, it would tear people apart – she'd seen arranged marriages fail but neither the groom nor the bride would dare complain, because under the circumstances, their situation was considered to be blessed by Yevon. Complaining about it would only bring more toil and strife, and then ultimately nothing would be accomplished as far as atonement was concerned. It was a very rocky road, and Yasmina would avoid treading upon it unless she was ultimately forced. She'd let Yevon guide her.

"You're late, my dear," an old voice called out to her.

Yasmina had reached the outskirts of the Calm Lands. A lean-to was pitched against the high rocky wall that separated the Calm Lands from the cold winds of Macalania, and next to it sat a tiny group of elders. Two old women were sewing while an old man was dozing off, and they looked up at her and smiled.

"Forgive me, Lady Magdalene, Lady Saara," Yasmina made the sign of prayer and smiled at them. "I see that your husband has overexerted himself in the Calm Lands today. Too much Blitzball?"

Lady Saara looked over at the sleeping man and chuckled. "If he could but pick up a Blitzball, I wager it'd be enough for him. He spent time with some children today that wandered in earlier."

"How is he?"

Saara and Magdalene gave each other a grim look. "His memory has not much improved…and even after your treatments, he still has not the use of his arm," Saara murmured. "Yet today he was quiet; peaceful. I think coming to the Calm Lands helps."

"Sin's toxin cuts deep," Magdalene croaked. "Three years and he has not yet healed. I fear for my brother, yet he's had a good life. There are few of us who have had the privilege of living as long as we have."

Yasmina bowed. "And praise be to Yevon. I will pray for him. And for you, as well."

"Would you mind taking another look?" Saara asked hopefully.

"Not at all."

Yasmina gingerly stepped around the sleeping elder, who was hunched over in a chair. She knelt down and placed a hand on his, watching his breathing.

It was easy for healers to detect the health of others. When people were injured or weak, white cures could be placed upon them to quicken healing. When people were sick or ailing, healing was slower and treatments had to be carefully monitored, but it could be done. It was impossible to turn back time, however. If someone died and there was not anyone around to revive them with a tuft of phoenix down or with white magic, their souls would be lost. The elderly could not be healed easily as their time drew nearer. The only thing Yasmina could do for the old man was to ease his suffering, at least a little. As a healer, she was keen to the warmth and life of others, but his skin was cold. Life was leaving him slowly. His breath was slow and fluttery.

She took a deep breath and forced the warm magic from her palms, instilling in him a bit of cure mixed with esuna. His eyes flickered open and he gazed at her sleepily.

"It's you," he whispered.

Yasmina gave him a soft smile.

"Did you marry that nice young man yet?" he asked her. "The one from Kilika?"

Yasmina forced a smile but remained silent. Her eyes were sad and sympathetic as she looked over the old man and readjusted his sling. He blinked up at her and gave her a weak grin.

"You two will be very happy together…it is my wish that you bear me many grandchildren…"

Yasmina smiled once more at him and bowed her head. She gave him a bit of water, mixed with a light wine, and squeezed his hand.

"Get some rest."

He nodded at her and replied, "Good night to you, daughter."

Yasmina then placed a palm to her forehead and extended it outwards towards him, placing a soft sleep spell over him.

She gathered up his old bandages and picked up a small rucksack she was carrying around earlier.

"Did he respond well?" Saara asked anxiously. "Sin's toxin didn't confuse him again, did it? Gracious be upon Yevon, I couldn't bear to tell him that you weren't our daughter last time…oh…" Saara lowered her head and shook it sadly. "I'm…I'm sorry, my dear, but ever since our daughter's death, he hasn't been the same…"

Yasmina lowered her head and nodded. "I understand."

Magdalene stopped sewing and patted Saara's back. "Is he all right, Lady Yasmina?"

"He's doing fine," she lied. "But for now, he needs plenty of rest. He shouldn't be on his feet too much tomorrow…and please, only take walks with the warrior monks nearby. Fiends may be less, but you should still remain vigilant."

"May the blessing of Yevon be upon those two warrior monks," Saara's expression lightened a bit and she bowed her head. "We saw them patrolling just the other day; so dedicated to their work, they were! Such nice young men."

Magdalene smiled as well. "Have you met them yet, my dear? It seems they will be responsible for the Calm Lands these next few months. Oh, I do enjoy meeting the monks and priests of Yevon each time their rotation begins. Young, bright faces that keep Spira full of hope."

Yasmina nodded and smiled. "I have, and I've no doubt of their abilities."

"I wonder if either of them are married," Magdalene mused aloud with a sudden mischievous grin.

"Oh, Maggie, you're terrible," Saara chuckled. "But I wouldn't mind seeing beautiful Yasmina whisked away by a handsome warrior monk."

Yasmina flushed and looked at the ground.

"Indeed," Magdalene smiled at Yasmina. "But we'll save that for another day. Our poor healer is tired; let's leave her be."

"Forgive me, my child," Saara gave Yasmina a weak smile, "but after the passing of my daughter, I've no one else to marry off except for the other young women."

Yasmina smiled, nodded at the elders and bid them good night, and trekked her way back to her own tent. It was now fully dark outside; the stars were totally unveiled and the Calm Lands had grown hushed as everyone started to fall asleep. Her tent was near the tents of other priestesses and nuns out on a mission like her own; to oversee the welfare and well-being of the others, making sure the warrior monks weren't injured by fiends, and to spread the teachings of Yevon. The small dwellings of the healers were marked by white flags and the insignia of Yevon, yet Yasmina did not feel like going to bed yet. She was wary that a few of the nuns would still be awake, and if anyone would mention the topic of marriage again she was afraid she'd go mad.

The case of the old man who had lost his memory was still fresh in her mind, and after she set her things down quietly in the camp, she made her way towards the cliffs on the extreme western edge of the Calm Lands. There were so many that suffered at the cause of Sin, even though it had been vanquished three years ago. Seven years still did not seem enough to escape Sin's tyranny. And even the old man had wanted her to marry, even though he thought she was his own daughter. Was there any hope at all for that? It seemed not. His own daughter suffered at the hands of Sin and was never able to bear him grandchildren. Why do the elders live on in sorrow and sadness while their legacies die young?

Every night she visited the ledge to look out over the dark horizon and watch the stars in peace…and also to contemplate silently to herself in prayer and mull over the days happenings. And, like every other night, she would place her face in her palms and weep silently.