Getting Ready to Depart
"Elder Kimahri revered by all Ronso. He's like grandfather to Lhinx and all Ronso youth. He send me after Lady Yuna," Lhinx said proudly. "He good leader, but aging."
(I really hope Elder Kimahri's okay.) Lhinx thought as more food was brought to her, two plates of eggs and a large platter of bacon. Another worker set down a large flask of water.
(What service.) Lhinx thought in a pleased tone, proceeding to gulp down the eggs and bacon like she had earlier, taking a drink of water between every few bites.
…
Silver took the fork examining it and trying at the same time to find out how to use it. He managed to do so after some failed attempts and nodded at Serenity. "Thanks." He began eating slowly, careful of not opening his mouth until he had swallowed all and of course of not biting himself with his fangs.
…
"Kimahri Ronso, I heard they wanted to make him a Maester after Kelk Ronso died, but he refused to due to what Yevon did to Yuna" she felt no sympathy for Yevon, nor New Yevon. Silver had make her realize everything was just a bunch of lies, that Yevon wasn't even a good person for he was the one that sent Sin in first place.
…
Serenity looked up at her food to look at Tallulah, and blushed in embarrassment. "Oh, thank you! I never really thought about being a songstress. I don't think I could ever make it. Especially with you and my mother being such fantastic singers." She laughed nervously, and went back to eating.
…
"Ronso do not like Yevon or New Yevon. New Yevon people and tourists stink up Zanarkand. Zanarkand sacred place, now it becoming nothing more than shell of city. Monkeys gone," Lhinx said after swallowing down some water.
…
"I know what you mean, I was born in those ruins. My parents used to be guardians of the city, to not let in anyone who disgraced it." Silver suddenly remembered Isaaru, he had nothing against that guy... but he used to be a Summoner not that long ago and now he guide tourists inside the city.
"I go there many times a year, your kind have always been nice to me." He laughed softly and smiled at Serenity. "Hey, for once Tallulah is right, you can make it. If I could get to be a singer for a short time you can become as good as your mother is."
…
"Not know unless try," Lhinx said. "Can sing for Elder Kimahri, both of you. Elder Kimahri would like see Lady Yuna's children."
…
"What you mean with 'for once'?" Tallulah asked Silver, elbowing him. "Most of the time I'm right, at least I know how to use a fork you blitzhead." Tallulah laughed, but she didn't really feel like it. She was following in the steps of Summoner Yuna, and now that girl could become her rival in another way, not just in love matters.
…
(This is certainly going to be an interesting journey.) Lhinx thought, listening to the encouragement being given to Serenity. (Elder Kimahri will want to see both the son and daughter of Lady Yuna. He'll be so proud.)
…
Serenity felt her face become hot again when Silver said that she might be able to become as good as her mother. She picked up her orange juice and drank it, hoping that the cool liquid would cool her off. "You're right, Lhinx. I'll never know until I try! And I'd love it if I were able to sing for Kimahri! That would be such a great first impression. I really want him to like me."
Serenity was starting to like the idea more and more now that the group talked about it. Finishing her food, Serenity stood and picked up the plate, bringing it over behind the bar to wash it off, ignoring the innkeeper's words to leave it there.
"Elder Kimahri like you because you Lady Yuna's daughter." Lhinx said. "You very nice."
(Elder Kimahri will be pleased. Perhaps the possibility of a visit from Lady Yuna's children will ease his aging heart.) Lhinx thought, finishing her breakfast.
…
Zephyr raised an eyebrow at the Al Bhed as he thought, reading his expressions.
"I can see that you don't want to be bothered," she said carefully, standing up. "We're leaving today . . . just hop on the boat to Kilika if you want to come with us. I'm sure the others would love the company." With that, the half-Guado strode off, alchemist's gun clanking against her hip as she climbed the hill back to the village.
"Waaaake up, everyone," she cried, looking around. "It's a beautiful morning!"
…
(Well she's awake.) Lhinx thought, barely picking up the sound of a certain Guado halfling.
The Ronso was anxious to leave, but at the same time the peace and quiet of Besaid was charming. She would have to come back. And bring Elder Kimahri along. He had to miss this place as well.
…
In search of her comrades, Zephyr stepped into the inn with her early-morning grin. She was, and always had been, a morning person. "Why, hello there, ladies and gentleman," she greeted them, noting the presence of only one male. She sat down close by, and when the innkeeper asked her what she wanted, she replied thusly: "Really big glass of orange juice. I mean, like a quart of it. Ice cold. Thanks," she said as the man walked away with a raised eyebrow. So what? She liked orange juice.
"Sleep well?" she inquired to the general masses. "I know I did. It was a beautiful starscape, last night. Which reminds me," she said, remembering her thoughts of the night before. Zephyr turned to Tallulah with sparkling, curious eyes. "I wrote a song a while ago . . . it's pretty different from what you sing, and I'm sure as hell no songstress, but I was wondering if I could run it by you sometime?"
"Oh, and, um, you can call me Zephyr," she said, realizing she hadn't even introduced herself.
"I recognize you, Tallulah," the halfling said with a smile, accepting the gigantic glass of orange juice set in front of her and taking a hearty gulp. "I stopped in at your concert a month or two ago. I didn't realize it was you last night, I was a little tired, but everything seems a lot clearer in the morning." She took another sip of her juice, and looked at Tallulah straight in the eyes - a little creepy, really. Zephyr's eyes were dark blue, which wasn't too abnormal, but the silvery lines traced around them and their odd depth made them look as if one could fall right into them, if they got too close. This and their uncanny sparkle made them look oddly like the surface of the ocean.
…
She has ambition; I'll give her that.) Lhinx thought as she drank more of the water. The innkeeper had given her a large pitcher.
(I guess he finally realized what a Ronso appetite really is.)
…
Silver smiled at Zephyr and greeted her as he was almost done with his breakfast. "So Lucine the only sleepy head eh?" He looked at Serenity and almost laughed remembering her face a while ago. "Well, I'll go wake her up."
Silver stood up and took his plate to where Serenity took hers, but just leaving it there for he was afraid his claws might break the dishes. He returned to the table and put his gloves on. "Ok, if you are taking any more things with you I suggest you go and pack," he said and laughed as he walked out.
…
(I should just go hunting in the next hour. If I eat enough it should last me for a few days.) Lhinx thought as she stared into the empty bottom of her pitcher.
"Good day for fiends." Lhinx said.
(Fiends love to attack on bright days like this. Stupid travelers are their favorite prey. But I guess we should be fine.)
…
Silver went out when he suddenly realized he didn't know where Lucine was. "Darn..." he said and sighed, deciding to go check at the Temple first. Those buildings usually had guests rooms inside, so maybe she decided to stay there.
…
(Come to think of it, where is Lucine? Did any of us see her last night?) Lhinx wondered.
Lhinx stood up.
"Silver might need help," Lhinx said and walked out of the inn. The Ronso looked around twice before seeing Silver walking towards the temple. The Ronso walked over.
"Lucine in temple?" Lhinx asked.
(That's weird...they won't let anyone in the Chamber of Fayth...why would they let anyone stay? Seem suspicious.)
"I won't know till I check," Silver said. "My nose loses its long range when near the sea. The salty air isn't good for any of my senses." He tried to sniff the air and shook his head. "Nope, all I can smell is the sea and the jungle. Same happens at Kilika, but I'm already used to things there."
…
Tallulah smiled at Zephyr, always pleased people enjoyed her singing. She nodded when the Guado told her about the song. "I shall sing it on my next concert, whenever that is" she said, remembering they all where off to search for Yuna and her friends.
…
"Priest not like people in temple. Something going on there." Lhinx remarked.
(Lucine would most likely be in there.)
"Lucine may be suspicious too." Lhinx continued.
"Lucine no suspicious," Silver said "She is only trying to find her mother, so she is kinda like our leader. I'm following her, I don't care where she takes us." Silver walked up the stone steps of the temple and walked inside. There was no one inside but two priests from New Yevon. He walked up to Lord O'Halan's statue and into the room behind it without paying attention to the priests. No one. Lucine wasn't inside the temple.
Ok, she could even be at any hut out there...
…
(I guess I am assuming too much. I guess I can afford to relax a bit.) Lhinx thought and walked from the temple towards the item shop. The Ronso hunched over a bit to get in.
"How may I help you today?" The young woman asked.
"Potions." Lhinx said.
"Ah, going on a journey?" The girl asked as she pulled out several viles.
Lhinx nodded.
"And how many potions will you need?"
"Ten." Lhinx said, pulling out her moneybag and paying the woman.
(You never know.) Lhinx thought.
"Have a good day." The girl said, receiving a nod from the Ronso as she left.
As Lhinx stepped outside, her ears barely picked up someone's yawning in another hut.
(Lucine?)
…
Serenity smiled at Silver as he dropped off his plate and left. She picked it up and cleaned it as well. She noticed Lhinx had left as well, and went back to their table to pick up her dishes to clean them, too. When she was finished, she walked up to Tallulah, Zephyr and Kai, the remaining of the group still in the inn.
"I'm going to visit the temple before we set sail to handle some things. I think the others went as well. Come with if you wish!" Serenity smiled at them before waving, and walked outside, seeing Lhinx leaving the temple as she neared it. I guess Lucine wasn't inside… Serenity entered the temple and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness inside.
…
Silver was about to leave the temple when he saw Serenity walking inside. "Hello there," he called, smiling. "Lucine wasn't inside, and those Yevonites been looking at me like if I were a fiend." He growled under his breath and made both priests hide behind a statue. "Well, being a scary creature has it privileges, I can scare coward priests," he laughed.
…
Lhinx sniffed the air around the hut directly in front of the item shop. She knocked on the side and looked in.
Lucine was asleep inside on a cot.
(There she is. But whose hut is this?) Lhinx wondered.
The Ronso stepped inside and towards the Al Bhed. Lhinx then poked the girl's temple once.
"Lucine wake up." Lhinx said. "Breakfast."
The Ronso poked the girl again, who replied by rolling over and mumbling "five more minutes".
(What should I do? Awe well, we know where she is, so that'll do.)
The Ronso left the hut and ventured toward the inn. Before entering, she remembered Silver had gone to the temple looking for her.
(Should I go tell him first or the others? Ah, his nose should be able to pick her scent up at the hut. I'll just tell the others.)
Lhinx stepped inside and nearly bumped into a priest. The priest turned around and had a nasty look on his face.
"Watch where you're going Ronso." The priest said.
(It's him! Zaruk!) Lhinx thought.
"Lhinx sorry." Lhinx said, bowing her head a bit.
…
"I'll sing it for you once we get on our way to Kilika," Zephyr said, somehow managing to polish off the glass of acidic orange liquid before her in one gulp. "That is, if you're not too busy," she added, remembering the male voice that she had heard the night before, in perfect harmony with Tallulah's.
With that, she rose from her seat and smiled. "I'll be waiting for everyone at the docks," she said. "I have someone to talk to there." Zephyr left the inn and began to jog back to the docks, where she left Calix.
…
Kai ate what was left of the food on his plate and watched his sister leave the inn to go to the temple. He then stood and quietly walked over to the place where you put the plates and put them there. After that he walks out of the inn and went to the square to take one last look at Besaid before he leaves with the others.
…
Lhinx sat down to join the others.
"Lucine sleeping." Lhinx said. "Is okay."
(I'm anxious to leave pretty soon. It's only a matter of time before those priests figure out I got into the cloister of trials.)
…
Calix sat patiently, the same thoughts rushing through his head as he looked for a tune to express his self, but also fit the time of day and the cheery atmosphere of the small sea town he was about to leave. Finally he thought of a song that he had heard in his younger years, it was originally composed by his mother who he was separated from when he was drug to Besaid with his father. The tune was called 'the shadows of a morning sun' although the name seemed to be dark and dreary it was actually a high upbeat song. His mother had the song played when his parents joined in unity, but hasn't played it since his father took him and all the two's possessions and left to Besaid, so he could join the Aurochs. Calix had inhabited his father's natural ability to play the game, but has since then improved his skill with his dark magic abilities.
Within a few minutes of choosing his song Calix was deep into the melody, swishing his feet in the water with a giddy joy, just to listen to the magnificent piece once again gave him great joy, and lightened his spirits about leaving his town so soon after arrival. Even though the song excited him, it saddened him more, because he hadn't seen his mother in over twelve years...not since the last time his father was in a Blitz tournament. Because the song brought down his high attitude, he became more anxious to leave the island.
…
Zephyr arrived on the beach shortly, and immediately heard the melody. However beautiful a voice Tallulah had, it was just a voice. Anyone could sing, and most people could carry a tune; it took real skill to play an instrument, though, especially one like that. The Guado had become very connected to the musical world after the time of Vegnagun. All of Spira had been brought together by song twice now, and there was no firmer believer in the power of music than Zephyr.
She didn't interrupt him, but stayed a distance away and out of his sight, swaying gently to the perky tune he played.
…
Tallulah finished her breakfast and left her plate with the rest of the dishes, walking out and towards her tent to get everything settled. "I'm gonna need to leave some things behind, I'll let the temple take care of them" she took her kimono and folded it with smooth care, placing it inside her bag along with some personal items. Finally, her staff, one that looked exactly like that one Lady Yuna had.
…
Calix sensed that the Guado was close, and listening to his music, and was deeply saddened, so he slowly stopped his tune and laid on his back, his arms spread wide, and the flute still in his hands.
"...Hey... "
…
"I go wake Lucine up." Lhinx said and got up, exiting the inn.
She walked over to the hut across from the item shop and walked in. The Ronso stepped over to Lucine again and poked the girl in the shoulder.
"We need to leave soon." Lhinx said. "Wake up."
Lucine budged a bit, but not much.
Lhinx then put one hand on the girl's arm that faced her and shook her a bit.
"Huh..." Lucine stirred a bit, blinking her eyes a few times and then leaving them opened. "Oh, Lhinx, hello."
"You awake, good." Lhinx said.
"What time is it?" Lucine asked.
"Near afternoon. Boat leaves at noon." Lhinx said.
…
"You really don't like me, do you?" Zephyr noted, raising an eyebrow at his prone form and his sad, almost exasperated expression. "I'm guessing you won't come with us, right?"