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Preview: Well this where our characters, Mason and Maylina meet for the first time, hence the title. It will begin the long journey of the past for all.
"First Meet"
Chapter 4
The next day came around, and Maylina finally awoke in the morning. She awoke in a room inside the temple, and there were several adepts with the priest in the room also.
"Lady Priestess, are you ok?" the priest asked with concern.
"Yes. Where is Renac?"
"Your guardian is outside. You are welcome to stay here as long as you like. The people would really like to meet you too," he said pleasantly.
"Thank you, but I will stay at the inn, but also I will go to meet the people."
Maylina got herself up, and straightened out her ceremonial robes. She left the room full of adepts, and joined Renac outside the room.
"Maylina, are you feeling better?"
"Yes, and I want to stay here an extra day," she replied facilely.
"Why? Don't you remember that all of Guado will be looking for you?"
"Yes, but I want to socialize with the people. It's my duty to give the people their faith any hope back," she replied looking into the sky.
"It is your decision," he replied with no resistance.
The both of them left the temple, and came back out into town. There was a small crowd of people in front, and Maylina quickly went to them with a warm smile on her face. The first person to ask her a question was a little boy.
"Why have you come priestess?" he asked with his boyish innocent voice.
She replied, "For such a small town you never get to see the traveling priests. I am on a pilgrimage, and I intend to travel to big and small towns."
An older man then asked, "Why does a Guado have to do this pilgrimage? A human would be better suited. And why would you go on a pilgrimage if there were nothing to pray to? There have not been any aeons or Fayths for over 300 years."
"There is nothing wrong with being a Guado or being human to go on a pilgrimage. I am not full Guado; I am from both worlds, and I have deep respect for both cultures. I have respect for all cultures of Spira. I am going on this pilgrimage because everybody needs his or her faith, something to care for. This war is breaking so many souls. Someone should not be judged by who they are or what race they are."
The people then began to smile and cheer Maylina for her response. The crowd began to disperse, and returned to their business. Maylina rejoined Renac once all the people left.
"It seems I'm on the right track," she began.
"Maybe so, but if you intend to stay at the inn then we'll need Gil."
"Then we should go to the inn, and look for some work to pay off the bill," she replied lightly.
"What do you mean?" Renac asked with concern and suspicion.
"Well, you go on ahead to the inn and see what you can find. I want to walk around town, and get to know the place."
Without any appeals Renac went ahead of her, and quickly made his way to the inn. Maylina began her walk again, and decided to go into one of the shops along the way. It was a shop full of clothing, jewelry, and exotic cloths. All of the clothing were made of beautiful cloths and colors, and were designed for traveling. Hopefully once Maylina got some money she could change her ceremonial wedding dress into something more comfortable and stylish.
"Do you like the bright colors of the clothing or are just envy because how much your dress lacks colors?" asked a voice from behind her.
When she turned she didn't see the town anymore or the person that was apparently behind her. It was the man she had envisioned at her wedding. The man that put her at ease, and the voice she heard seem to fit the person, but the man faded away and someone else was there. All though it returned to the town, the man was not very much different. He still had the silver hair, but it was an uneven mid-cut with a shaggy look to it. The man before had long hair that went a little past his shoulders and he kept it together. This man here looked a little younger, younger than her, around eighteen at her guess, and he was quite handsome. He was well dressed, robust, and a bit on the arrogant side from the look on his face. He wore dark clothing, and he had a smile to die for.
"No, but they are interesting. It seems you prefer the darker colors," she replied.
He looked down at himself for a moment, and then he turned his head back to her.
"Yeah. I need to keep up with the new style of today, dark and gloomy. You stand out a bit with that wedding dress. Did you just get married or something?" he asked arrogantly.
"I can't really say. My name is Maylina Guado, a traveling priestess from the Macalania Temple," she said politely.
"Can't say if you're married or not, interesting. Sorry, my name is Mason Rexx, aspiring singer and bartender," he replied humorously.
Mason took a few steps towards Maylina, and fully entered the shop. The other person in the room was the human shopkeeper.
"I didn't mean to put your mood down or anything Maylina," he began to say again.
She walked up to him and a few feet now only separated them. She felt something within her stir; something she did not know. Her breathing was becoming a bit shorter, and now her voice was a bit unsettled.
"I have to say you are a lot more pretty up close and awake. I saw you yesterday, and I couldn't get my eyes of you. It is almost like I have seen you before, but yet not. Now you are here, and I could take you in my arms at any moment if I desired, but I know better. You know I work at the inn your guardian just went to?"
"Good thing you saved yourself from your comments. I would be very upset if you didn't have some gentlemen manners to show. So you work at the inn?" she said in a mild tone.
"Ouch, I didn't expect that from a religious person, but, hey, I have been surprised on many occasions. I work at the club because I need the money to go to Luca and pursue a career in the entertainment arts."
"Really? Renac and I plan to go there to sign a peace treaty among Spira," she replied with enthusiasm.
"That would be nice to end the war. My father was a general in the war, and my sister...well," he stopped himself.
"Is your sister..." she began.
"No! No, she's in Luca. She's a singer. They call her 'The Voice of Spira," he said sarcastically.
"I can't believe it. Your sister is Marie Rexx. Even though I grew up in Guado territory I heard so much about her and her ability to bring people together with her voice. She is very inspirational to many people," she said excitingly.
Mason moved away from Maylina and began kicking at the ground like he was upset at hearing the sound of his sister's name.
"I know. I have heard it all, and quite frankly I'm tired of it."
"I apologize for my behavior. I guess I have some kind of understanding, and I won't do that again," Maylina said with Mason's back turned to her.
He turned immediately to her with an expression of surprise upon his face, like no one had ever said that to him before. Almost like all the other times the people always took his sister's side, and blamed him for his own hatred.
"Don't say you're sorry. It's alright.
"Do you want me to walk you to the inn, if you like?" he asked with a sly under tone.
"If you'd like, and thank you," she cheerfully accepted.
They left the shop, and headed towards the inn. Once they reached the inn, they found Renac at the bar with Jockens.
"Jockens," Mason said, "hey we got some guests."
"I know, but they need work to pay."
"What?" Mason said with surprise.
Mason turned to Maylina, and had a surprised look on his face.
"I will work, but Renac needs to watch the inn. I have had problems with certain people lately."
"You working here will be fine. There's a lot you can do. You can work in the back or perform up front. I could use some new acts. I mean Mason is great, but we need a female to impress the men," Jockens said looking at Maylina.
Renac then got between Jockens and Maylina, facing Jockens, and he looked upset.
"It is alright Renac. I understand what this man means, and I will perform up front. When you are keeping watch stay out of sight. You are a full Guado, and you could frighten some of the people who live here; I have a better chance of being in the public eye," Maylina said to her upset friend.
"But milady you have no experience in this field of art," Renac said with concern turning his head to her.
"No worries. I have faith and inspiration on my side," she replied turning her head to Mason. She smiled quickly, and then quickly turned back to Jockens.
The day went by, and Maylina did not see Mason again. The bar was beginning to fill up when the sun set and it was almost time for her performance.
It was almost time for Maylina's performance, and it was Mason's break now so he could watch the priestess attempt to sing. He knew she had no experience or talent in singing. The way she presented herself and what her guardian had said earlier gave all the indications of no talent. Though when Maylina said she had faith and looked at him, something was fishy. Almost like she had some hidden agenda and trick up her sleeve, and she was about ready to play her trump card. That was what was enticing about the young priestess.
Connie May came up behind him, and stood next to him.
"I heard the priestess is going to sing to an audience. I can't believe she is going to. I mean she is suppose to help people with their problems and pray to lifeless statues, not sing to them. After all, she is part Guado you think people will accept her singing on the stage; they will kick her off the moment she shows up. I mean I would join them if it happened. What about you Mason?"
"Connie I understand about her talents and area of experience, but you should have faith in her abilities. She should not be judged by her looks or what species she is," he replied to Connie's hostile thoughts.
Mason basically had repeated Maylina's words, and he totally agreed with her point of view. If this half human could end the war, maybe he could face his family again for running out on them.
"How can you support that Guado freak? She is only trouble Mason, and I am warning you now. No matter if she is a priestess, she grew up with the Guado and they are all the same. They rape and murder other species if they are not Guado, or believe in their stupid religion," she interrupted Mason's thoughts.
Connie was wrong though. The people of Spira needed Maylina and they wanted it as well. No matter if she came from the heresy of the Guado's way, many people in Spira had lost touch with nature and the belief in the aeons. She was what Spira needed, and the fact that she was from both sides of the war that greatly helped her in these dying times.
The lights dimmed, and the curtains on the stage went up. At the center of the stage was a woman with blonde hair, and was wearing only feather undergarments with peasant sleeves on her arms. Men in the crowd gave short sounds of surprise of change in Maylina. It was her, because the tattoos were still on her face. It generally looked like her, but her hair was now blonde. Mason couldn't help it; his eyes were locked onto the changed Maylina. When she came to this town, she was hidden underneath the wedding dress, but now these clothes had barely covered her hidden assets. Mason's jaw was down and he was short of breath.
Her head was down and her eyes were closed. Then she moved towards the audience still her eyes were closed. The mystery of not being able to see her eyes made Mason crave for her more. He left Connie and the bar, and went towards the front of the stage. There was dancing area for the crowd, but right now everyone was sitting in their seats. Mason was the only one, to the side area of the dancing area, which was up front. He didn't make himself so noticeable though.
A soft voice came from the mysterious person. It was enchanting, and everybody was looking at her like they were in a trance, even Mason. The song was slow and mellow until after a few moments it picked up speed. Suddenly flashing lights came from nowhere like lightning and the lady faced Mason and opened her eyes. No doubt now it was Maylina, because her eyes hadn't changed at all.
Maylina began dancing while singing on the stage. The energy she gave off was making people get up from their tables and dance on the dance floor. The men with their women would dance and would stay with the beat. Her song, which Mason could tell was called "Lover's Dance", was uplifting and inspiring the people to forget their woes and dance their spirits to blissfulness. Mason couldn't help letting himself go without dancing and singing a little. Something was calling to him to go to Maylina. When he looked to the new priestess, he didn't the see the blonde or the blue haired Maylina. The woman now was dressed in unusual clothing he never saw before. She wore a leather and belt suit. The belts strapped around her upper body. A silky material that was a purplish color ran down her head, and made an almost like a cape like down her bright red hair. She had shiny bright red hair, and it seemed to glimmer from a light source he could not find. She sang a whole different song, a hard rock song about herself breaking free from the slavery of her oppressors, called "Going Away".
When she slowed down in melody she looked right at Mason, and the moment he looked away the music changed and Maylina was there again. The woman he saw was familiar, but it made no sense at all who she was.
Without another thought he joined Maylina on the stage. They continued to dance and sing together. For the rest of the song they were in perfect unison. There voices went perfectly together. Their bodies molded themselves to each other. He always kept his right arm wrapped around her hip as she kept both her arm around his medium build. They grinded their bodies together, almost like they were lovemaking standing up and still wearing clothes. It was like an erotic dance they shared alone, because it seemed they were in their own world. Nothing else existed to Mason except Maylina and the fact she was in his arms. He never wanted to let her go again. The thought of picking her up and taking him from everything in this world was an enticing thought.
Then the song ended, and he had to let her go. Everybody was applauding their exciting, and most erotic performance. This night was most joyous for many. Jockens had the best night for his club ever, and Mason had just got to embrace the most beautiful woman in existence.
Then the blonde color in Maylina's hair began turning back to blue, and she suddenly lost her balance. Mason caught her in time as she fell into his arms. He came to find out she had passed out, and she was back to her priestess look. When he looked up he saw Renac coming and Mason saw Connie flash him a look of betrayal and jealously. He ignored it for now, because Renac joined him with a crowd just staring behind Mason. He turned to find something out of the ordinary.
There was that feeling again. Seymour sat in his private chamber, and felt the birth of another aeon. Everything was going as he planned, and soon he would need to quickly travel to Luca. The growing darkness in Zanarkand was growing with every step Maylina took with her new power. Once she reached Luca he would be there to claim his bride for good.
"Soon my love, soon you and I will stare your gift," he said to himself.
To continue...
Preview: Well this where our characters, Mason and Maylina meet for the first time, hence the title. It will begin the long journey of the past for all.
"First Meet"
Chapter 4
The next day came around, and Maylina finally awoke in the morning. She awoke in a room inside the temple, and there were several adepts with the priest in the room also.
"Lady Priestess, are you ok?" the priest asked with concern.
"Yes. Where is Renac?"
"Your guardian is outside. You are welcome to stay here as long as you like. The people would really like to meet you too," he said pleasantly.
"Thank you, but I will stay at the inn, but also I will go to meet the people."
Maylina got herself up, and straightened out her ceremonial robes. She left the room full of adepts, and joined Renac outside the room.
"Maylina, are you feeling better?"
"Yes, and I want to stay here an extra day," she replied facilely.
"Why? Don't you remember that all of Guado will be looking for you?"
"Yes, but I want to socialize with the people. It's my duty to give the people their faith any hope back," she replied looking into the sky.
"It is your decision," he replied with no resistance.
The both of them left the temple, and came back out into town. There was a small crowd of people in front, and Maylina quickly went to them with a warm smile on her face. The first person to ask her a question was a little boy.
"Why have you come priestess?" he asked with his boyish innocent voice.
She replied, "For such a small town you never get to see the traveling priests. I am on a pilgrimage, and I intend to travel to big and small towns."
An older man then asked, "Why does a Guado have to do this pilgrimage? A human would be better suited. And why would you go on a pilgrimage if there were nothing to pray to? There have not been any aeons or Fayths for over 300 years."
"There is nothing wrong with being a Guado or being human to go on a pilgrimage. I am not full Guado; I am from both worlds, and I have deep respect for both cultures. I have respect for all cultures of Spira. I am going on this pilgrimage because everybody needs his or her faith, something to care for. This war is breaking so many souls. Someone should not be judged by who they are or what race they are."
The people then began to smile and cheer Maylina for her response. The crowd began to disperse, and returned to their business. Maylina rejoined Renac once all the people left.
"It seems I'm on the right track," she began.
"Maybe so, but if you intend to stay at the inn then we'll need Gil."
"Then we should go to the inn, and look for some work to pay off the bill," she replied lightly.
"What do you mean?" Renac asked with concern and suspicion.
"Well, you go on ahead to the inn and see what you can find. I want to walk around town, and get to know the place."
Without any appeals Renac went ahead of her, and quickly made his way to the inn. Maylina began her walk again, and decided to go into one of the shops along the way. It was a shop full of clothing, jewelry, and exotic cloths. All of the clothing were made of beautiful cloths and colors, and were designed for traveling. Hopefully once Maylina got some money she could change her ceremonial wedding dress into something more comfortable and stylish.
"Do you like the bright colors of the clothing or are just envy because how much your dress lacks colors?" asked a voice from behind her.
When she turned she didn't see the town anymore or the person that was apparently behind her. It was the man she had envisioned at her wedding. The man that put her at ease, and the voice she heard seem to fit the person, but the man faded away and someone else was there. All though it returned to the town, the man was not very much different. He still had the silver hair, but it was an uneven mid-cut with a shaggy look to it. The man before had long hair that went a little past his shoulders and he kept it together. This man here looked a little younger, younger than her, around eighteen at her guess, and he was quite handsome. He was well dressed, robust, and a bit on the arrogant side from the look on his face. He wore dark clothing, and he had a smile to die for.
"No, but they are interesting. It seems you prefer the darker colors," she replied.
He looked down at himself for a moment, and then he turned his head back to her.
"Yeah. I need to keep up with the new style of today, dark and gloomy. You stand out a bit with that wedding dress. Did you just get married or something?" he asked arrogantly.
"I can't really say. My name is Maylina Guado, a traveling priestess from the Macalania Temple," she said politely.
"Can't say if you're married or not, interesting. Sorry, my name is Mason Rexx, aspiring singer and bartender," he replied humorously.
Mason took a few steps towards Maylina, and fully entered the shop. The other person in the room was the human shopkeeper.
"I didn't mean to put your mood down or anything Maylina," he began to say again.
She walked up to him and a few feet now only separated them. She felt something within her stir; something she did not know. Her breathing was becoming a bit shorter, and now her voice was a bit unsettled.
"I have to say you are a lot more pretty up close and awake. I saw you yesterday, and I couldn't get my eyes of you. It is almost like I have seen you before, but yet not. Now you are here, and I could take you in my arms at any moment if I desired, but I know better. You know I work at the inn your guardian just went to?"
"Good thing you saved yourself from your comments. I would be very upset if you didn't have some gentlemen manners to show. So you work at the inn?" she said in a mild tone.
"Ouch, I didn't expect that from a religious person, but, hey, I have been surprised on many occasions. I work at the club because I need the money to go to Luca and pursue a career in the entertainment arts."
"Really? Renac and I plan to go there to sign a peace treaty among Spira," she replied with enthusiasm.
"That would be nice to end the war. My father was a general in the war, and my sister...well," he stopped himself.
"Is your sister..." she began.
"No! No, she's in Luca. She's a singer. They call her 'The Voice of Spira," he said sarcastically.
"I can't believe it. Your sister is Marie Rexx. Even though I grew up in Guado territory I heard so much about her and her ability to bring people together with her voice. She is very inspirational to many people," she said excitingly.
Mason moved away from Maylina and began kicking at the ground like he was upset at hearing the sound of his sister's name.
"I know. I have heard it all, and quite frankly I'm tired of it."
"I apologize for my behavior. I guess I have some kind of understanding, and I won't do that again," Maylina said with Mason's back turned to her.
He turned immediately to her with an expression of surprise upon his face, like no one had ever said that to him before. Almost like all the other times the people always took his sister's side, and blamed him for his own hatred.
"Don't say you're sorry. It's alright.
"Do you want me to walk you to the inn, if you like?" he asked with a sly under tone.
"If you'd like, and thank you," she cheerfully accepted.
They left the shop, and headed towards the inn. Once they reached the inn, they found Renac at the bar with Jockens.
"Jockens," Mason said, "hey we got some guests."
"I know, but they need work to pay."
"What?" Mason said with surprise.
Mason turned to Maylina, and had a surprised look on his face.
"I will work, but Renac needs to watch the inn. I have had problems with certain people lately."
"You working here will be fine. There's a lot you can do. You can work in the back or perform up front. I could use some new acts. I mean Mason is great, but we need a female to impress the men," Jockens said looking at Maylina.
Renac then got between Jockens and Maylina, facing Jockens, and he looked upset.
"It is alright Renac. I understand what this man means, and I will perform up front. When you are keeping watch stay out of sight. You are a full Guado, and you could frighten some of the people who live here; I have a better chance of being in the public eye," Maylina said to her upset friend.
"But milady you have no experience in this field of art," Renac said with concern turning his head to her.
"No worries. I have faith and inspiration on my side," she replied turning her head to Mason. She smiled quickly, and then quickly turned back to Jockens.
The day went by, and Maylina did not see Mason again. The bar was beginning to fill up when the sun set and it was almost time for her performance.
It was almost time for Maylina's performance, and it was Mason's break now so he could watch the priestess attempt to sing. He knew she had no experience or talent in singing. The way she presented herself and what her guardian had said earlier gave all the indications of no talent. Though when Maylina said she had faith and looked at him, something was fishy. Almost like she had some hidden agenda and trick up her sleeve, and she was about ready to play her trump card. That was what was enticing about the young priestess.
Connie May came up behind him, and stood next to him.
"I heard the priestess is going to sing to an audience. I can't believe she is going to. I mean she is suppose to help people with their problems and pray to lifeless statues, not sing to them. After all, she is part Guado you think people will accept her singing on the stage; they will kick her off the moment she shows up. I mean I would join them if it happened. What about you Mason?"
"Connie I understand about her talents and area of experience, but you should have faith in her abilities. She should not be judged by her looks or what species she is," he replied to Connie's hostile thoughts.
Mason basically had repeated Maylina's words, and he totally agreed with her point of view. If this half human could end the war, maybe he could face his family again for running out on them.
"How can you support that Guado freak? She is only trouble Mason, and I am warning you now. No matter if she is a priestess, she grew up with the Guado and they are all the same. They rape and murder other species if they are not Guado, or believe in their stupid religion," she interrupted Mason's thoughts.
Connie was wrong though. The people of Spira needed Maylina and they wanted it as well. No matter if she came from the heresy of the Guado's way, many people in Spira had lost touch with nature and the belief in the aeons. She was what Spira needed, and the fact that she was from both sides of the war that greatly helped her in these dying times.
The lights dimmed, and the curtains on the stage went up. At the center of the stage was a woman with blonde hair, and was wearing only feather undergarments with peasant sleeves on her arms. Men in the crowd gave short sounds of surprise of change in Maylina. It was her, because the tattoos were still on her face. It generally looked like her, but her hair was now blonde. Mason couldn't help it; his eyes were locked onto the changed Maylina. When she came to this town, she was hidden underneath the wedding dress, but now these clothes had barely covered her hidden assets. Mason's jaw was down and he was short of breath.
Her head was down and her eyes were closed. Then she moved towards the audience still her eyes were closed. The mystery of not being able to see her eyes made Mason crave for her more. He left Connie and the bar, and went towards the front of the stage. There was dancing area for the crowd, but right now everyone was sitting in their seats. Mason was the only one, to the side area of the dancing area, which was up front. He didn't make himself so noticeable though.
A soft voice came from the mysterious person. It was enchanting, and everybody was looking at her like they were in a trance, even Mason. The song was slow and mellow until after a few moments it picked up speed. Suddenly flashing lights came from nowhere like lightning and the lady faced Mason and opened her eyes. No doubt now it was Maylina, because her eyes hadn't changed at all.
Maylina began dancing while singing on the stage. The energy she gave off was making people get up from their tables and dance on the dance floor. The men with their women would dance and would stay with the beat. Her song, which Mason could tell was called "Lover's Dance", was uplifting and inspiring the people to forget their woes and dance their spirits to blissfulness. Mason couldn't help letting himself go without dancing and singing a little. Something was calling to him to go to Maylina. When he looked to the new priestess, he didn't the see the blonde or the blue haired Maylina. The woman now was dressed in unusual clothing he never saw before. She wore a leather and belt suit. The belts strapped around her upper body. A silky material that was a purplish color ran down her head, and made an almost like a cape like down her bright red hair. She had shiny bright red hair, and it seemed to glimmer from a light source he could not find. She sang a whole different song, a hard rock song about herself breaking free from the slavery of her oppressors, called "Going Away".
When she slowed down in melody she looked right at Mason, and the moment he looked away the music changed and Maylina was there again. The woman he saw was familiar, but it made no sense at all who she was.
Without another thought he joined Maylina on the stage. They continued to dance and sing together. For the rest of the song they were in perfect unison. There voices went perfectly together. Their bodies molded themselves to each other. He always kept his right arm wrapped around her hip as she kept both her arm around his medium build. They grinded their bodies together, almost like they were lovemaking standing up and still wearing clothes. It was like an erotic dance they shared alone, because it seemed they were in their own world. Nothing else existed to Mason except Maylina and the fact she was in his arms. He never wanted to let her go again. The thought of picking her up and taking him from everything in this world was an enticing thought.
Then the song ended, and he had to let her go. Everybody was applauding their exciting, and most erotic performance. This night was most joyous for many. Jockens had the best night for his club ever, and Mason had just got to embrace the most beautiful woman in existence.
Then the blonde color in Maylina's hair began turning back to blue, and she suddenly lost her balance. Mason caught her in time as she fell into his arms. He came to find out she had passed out, and she was back to her priestess look. When he looked up he saw Renac coming and Mason saw Connie flash him a look of betrayal and jealously. He ignored it for now, because Renac joined him with a crowd just staring behind Mason. He turned to find something out of the ordinary.
There was that feeling again. Seymour sat in his private chamber, and felt the birth of another aeon. Everything was going as he planned, and soon he would need to quickly travel to Luca. The growing darkness in Zanarkand was growing with every step Maylina took with her new power. Once she reached Luca he would be there to claim his bride for good.
"Soon my love, soon you and I will stare your gift," he said to himself.
To continue...
