2019-06-11: How To See A Seer
- Log: 2019-06-11: How To See A Seer
- Cast: Seraph Lanval, Seraph Boudicca
- Where: Luca - Port District
- Date: June 11, 2019
- Summary: In a moment of downtime, Seraph Lanval - Oracle of Schturdark - reaches out to Seraph Boudicca - Oracle of Moor Gault. Both of them now charged with seeing to Filgaia's well-being through a direct connection with their respective Guardians, neither had much time nor guidance prior to work out the potential kinks and challenges in the arrangement. Feeling the need to have a discussion between peers about how to pick worthy Seers after a prospective one failed his tests, Lanval invites Boudicca out to an underused Luca port at night under a full Gaia to compare notes on their experiences.
=========================================<* Luca - Port District *>=========================================
Luca is the largest port and second-largest city in Spira, located the southern tip of the archipelago's largest island. Its location as the central port for Spira's surrounding islands has turned Luca into a thriving economic hub; Besaid, Kilika, and a dozen smaller islands all send their goods to Luca for sale, and even the Al Bhed are known to trade here from time to time.
The port district is an immense, bustling area. The largest port in Luca brings in ships from across Spira -- from small fishing ships from Besaid to Al Bhed salvage ships to large sailing vessels from Bevelle -- and a massive market to match. A large seawall keeps the waters at bay, with piers extending out past the seawall into the water.
BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CIlRCYnZcg
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
It was physically and spiritually gruelling work in which to Purify the Malevolence-gripped ship, the Lunabelle - as well as its lingering inhabitants. Everyone's more than earned their rest, and then some. Talise and Layna performed more than adequately for their first Purifications. Splendidly, even, for how close the matter was to the heart of one of them. Ida, too, provided an invaluable additional layer of help from the power of a purifying flame... but this was also done in the company of the capable and the trusted who helped further weaken and suppress the miasma through their own means.
Seraph Lanval, Oracle of Schturdark, feels it is time to touch base with the other known Oracle once everyone settles down and rests for the evening in Luca. By whatever means at his disposal, he lets Seraph Boudicca know he would like to speak with them in seclusion at nightfall, at a specific abandoned dock.
The water spirit sits patiently with his back up against a stack of long-empty crates that no one has bothered to move or even claim, before the vast oceans that continue to churn with the promise that Sin - Obsession - could attack at any time. Gaia is in the air, its face full this evening. What better night to meet with the other Oracle than under a Full Gaia?
As business has slowed to a crawl with all the unease surrounding Kilika and Guard activity, this pier is reasonably free of interlopers or what have you. Just a bunch of lonely crates, a long pier nearby, and Lanval. He sits with his drinking gourd at his lap, waiting for the Oracle of Moor Gault to show at the appointed time.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.
Since they drew Ida from the ruins, the Oracle of Moor Gault has been... preoccupied.
Given to worry at the best of times, there are uncertainties around her Seer's condition which have led Boudicca to great concern. It wouldn't have been out of her way, once upon a time; but she's had more confidence, of late, and it is a strange return to form to fuss again. It's not entirely comfortable.
Maybe that's why she's been sticking close.
There are, of course, ways to contact a fellow Seraph, especially now, in a world which knows them. (It is strange, still, to be seen as she is by the mortals of the world, to be heard. If it's strange for her, it must be worse for the others, she thinks.) In her armor she approaches the dockyards; it feels quite natural to meet Lanval here, the sea breeze tugging at the waves, Gaia shining overhead. Not just a celestial body, now. It is alive - breathes with her.
And it is there, and they are here.
And Sin is here.
This, too, is a thing which has occupied her, in her time.
She shakes off the thoughts which crowd in as she sights the ocean, and turns her grey-green gaze to crates closer by. "Greetings, Lanval," she calls, as she comes to speaking distance; her head dips, with a smile. "It is good to see you."
Boudicca suspects he would not request her like he did for something passing, and so she finds a seat on a crate of her own, sweeping back her skirts and faulds. Light concern replaces the warmth of greeting on her face, brow drawing up and head tilting askance as she asks: "What troubles you?" For someone so often troubled, it is easy to imagine the same in others.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
Boudicca is met with a smiling face with closed eyes. (He ought to open them up and look upon Filgaia tonight - it's breathtaking.)
"Thanksh fer meetin' me." The casual, sort of slurred dialogue that implies - rightfully so - that he's been drinking. No booming presence of awakened power... it's 'li'l ol Lanval, right there.
"Ahhh, I wouldn't shay it'sh a 'worry' unto itshelf," he says as Boudicca inquires as to the reason he's called her out here, as a small number of pyreflies continue to be adrift by the waves as if they were nosy little intruders. (They aren't, but the assignment of such personality is occasionally fun.)
"Ya have my thanksh fer havin' the Seer of Fire... Ida," he pauses to humanize her identity. Well outside of this formal title and duty, she is who he would consider among his closest friends, after all! "Bring aid fer that ship full of Malevolence." His smile hasn't faded any, craning his neck to look up to the taller and higher-seated Oracle.
"The two Seers of Water... Talise, 'n Layna... they shure did have their handsh full with all of that. That ship wash part of Talise's childhood... left her on land when she wash real little, fer a big voyage over shomethin' called the Relic of Althena shaid ta be here. ...But a Hellion got 'em, turnsh out - the one who shent them on that journey ta shtart. Turned all of 'em..."
Melancholy. The two Seraphim have seen many mortal lives come to sad, unfulfilling ends. It may say much about this five-and-a-half-centuries-old entity that he still recognizes and feels at least some iota of loss by proxy.
"...'m divergin' shome, but," he strokes at his chin, running fingers through his beard as though it were under a waterfall, "ya choshe well. Ida didn't jusht fulfill her duty ash a Seer... she came through ash a good friend in that time of need." There is no downplaying her contribution, for there is nothing to criticize! Martial skill, personal experiences with what Malevolence can do to a mortal or even an Earthpulse... just being a good friend.
"...How'sh she been holdin' up?" He asks, both eyes opening partially, fingers ceasing messing with his beard, but the smile doesn't fade.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.
"Ah..." Boudicca trails off with the sound, as she listens to their woes. She has not worn her face for some centuries; the sadness there is unhidden, in the draw of her brow and the downwards tug of her lips, eyelids creasing in a downturned look. "At least they knew what happened, in the end. Closure is a valuable thing."
Even if it's sad.
She smiles, though, when Lanval comes back to Ida. "She is both capable and compassionate," Boudicca agrees. "Though... I do worry for her state. She seems to be doing well enough, but..." Boudicca shakes her head, gesturing with a hand. "... her arm is... it is difficult to understand quite what she is undergoing, but I know it to be a trial. I can only hope to be here for her. If... our bond has exacerbated her situation..." Uncertainty enters her voice, teeth pressing down on her lip as she looks aside. "I owe her that much."
She puffs out a breath (it's hardly a loss; she IS breath), looking back over to Lanval with a smile again. "And yet, I am glad to hear you have found Seers of your own, Lanval. I am sure you will do fine work together."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
'But,' would be the word on Lanval's (projected manifestation of) lips as Boudicca indicates that the subject troubles her. He turns his head a bit more up towards her as to reassure her, subtly, that he is willing to listen as she gestures with a hand.
"...Mmmm. She held up more 'n fine with the Malevolence about," he remark, "but I did notice she wash movin'... how do I put it... shudden." Like she were struggling to move. He remembers seeing the shape her hand took. Her arm has produced several extensions and shapes that he might have seen passively, but that looked less like a shape her hand was taking, and more her shape being taken.
Thoughts drift to how Riesenlied has had her difficulties with her bond to a Guardian - not quite the same equivalent relationship of what's going on here, but that is a concern. Still, the relationship between Seer and Oracle is one of great trust. In many ways, both of them are flying in blind - moreso now that they're so far from Filgaia. Maybe once they can return there...
...the subject drifts to her relief and approval of having found Seers of his own, her confidence in their work. His eyes close, a nod following. "Yep... I mean, there'sh shome unique challengesh involved, but... mmm. I wanted ta talk 'bout that... 'n... guessh I'd better be level."
(Meta)physically, he accomplishes this by wobbling up and... not quite managing to sit up on the crates. In a less than dignified fashion, he's now leaning up against the crates, propped up by his arms, drinking gourd up against his head.
"Before I took 'em on... I had ta think on it shome. Ida, Talise, Layna... they're shome of the besht friendsh I could ever ashk for." He laughs. "Even if I didn't ashk fer 'em, I'd take 'em! Ha ha ha...!"
Okay, now he's got a leg on top of one of the crates. He's getting up there. He's water, standing up is hard sometimes. Especially on such a nice night out.
"...But... I had ta recognize, it ain't alwaysh gonna be that way." An almost solemn, sullen statement even with the smile as he stretches and labors to get the other leg up. "One day, we ain't gonna be travelin' sho much. Not gonna get much chance ta really get ta know the mortalsh we'll work with... mosht of 'em will sheek ush right outta the blue." He looks up further. "That 'one day,' 'm shure, ish gonna be waysh off... but it ish gonna come." They are mortals. Depending on how Ida's physiology comes together, she may or may not buck that designation's meaning, but that's nothing to take for granted.
"Sho... I prepared a tesht," he gets the other leg up there, glacially balancing into sitting up... with his back turned, for the moment. "...Each and every one of 'em, I conshider a dear friend. Ain't much ever gonna change that. I approached each one I felt mosht shtrongly about. I'd trusht any of 'em with my own life, yep..."
He re-balances, crossing a leg back over so that he is sitting up - more or less - and now able to better face the Oracle of Moor Gault on equal vertical footing. (If not completely. She's taller to start with, and now he's slouching.)
"...but ta be a Seer... that'sh ta trusht way more than jusht yer life. Each one I approached, I ashked 'em ta do the shame shtuff..."
His eyes open half-lidded again, as he holds the gourd up closer to his face.
"...All three of 'em."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.
Lanval wobbles, and teeters, but Boudicca at least does not criticise him for his attempts. Well; after a point, it would be rude. He's speaking, and larrikin though he is, he is still her elder.
She listens, and she thinks. There is something inherent to mortality, wrapped in the word. It ends. She has heard warnings from her people on getting wrapped up in their affairs, on becoming attached. It's not so surprising, then, to hear the same thoughts from Lanval, that one day they will be removed again.
"Is this our fate?" She wonders, quietly, but does not stop to interrupt overmuch. It seems such a sad thought, to join them for a while and then step back again. In some ways, they are not so different at all, and yet it is true: one day they will die, and she will remain. A natural death is not a sad thing, but impermanence is an uncomfortable question to dwell on.
She's been trying so hard to connect with them, to be like them, to bridge the remove she grew with.
But she has obligations to them, too; perhaps, she thinks, one is incompatible with the other.
A test, then. "Hmm?" Boudicca questions, as he moves to the subject. It is true, she supposes, that there is not just two wills between Oracle and Seer. She sees the merit in deliberation --
-- and pauses, lips parting and brow knitting as she realises the weight of his last words.
"All... three," she echoes, and does not ask so directly. Instead, with serious consideration, she says: "I see the wisdom in ensuring their suitability to the task. This test you speak of - what would you have them do?" What could he have them do, she wonders, which could prove their ability to bear the weight and consideration of a Guardian?
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
"Mmm," Lanval exhales - in a manner appropriate to a mortal, a weird tic for him to pick up when he's not wind and has no real need to breathe - meditatively as Boudicca asks about the test. He has himself a sip from his gourd.
"...'m water. I think... if I tried ta deshcribe it, shet it up ash shomethin' ta do, one fer one, that might do more harm than good. After all, ya got the backin' of the very fire of Filgaia.... whoooole different thing." He smiles a bit. "...I alsho wanna reasshure ya," he straightens out some, "ya did great pickin' Ida, even without a tesht. If I had ta make a shplit decishion, on the shpot, she'd be up there.... but, mmm. 'm gonna break down the key thingsh my tesht looksh fer... in a Seer."
Lanval sets the gourd on his lap, keeping it steady and balanced with one hand. This is harder than it looks, for what it has and what it embodies now. He clears his throat, which only sounds a little off because technically speaking he doesn't have a real throat to clear.
"One," he holds up a finger, "I look fer Merit. Thish one, I think... would be the one shtep I'd copy, verbatim, fer any Oracle. I'd ashk 'em for a name - ta know they know themshelvesh ash true. I'd ashk 'em ta name their deedsh ta shee fer the well-bein' of Filgaia. Now, truth be told, a lotta the Drifter typesh we meet... they'd clear that one real eashy," he smiles, "...but I'd ashk 'em then ta preshent the weapon that besht represhentsh their will ta fight on behalf of the water--" Beat. "--or fire of Filgaia before me. I have 'em put it in the water. Fer you... that might be kinda obvioush." He lets that linger a bit before moving onto the next point. "Resht of 'em, I'm gonna need ta go more abshtract."
"Capability." Lanval holds up two fingers. "Shomethin' ta show that they can even grashp the facet of Filgaia they believe themshelvesh able ta fight on behalf of. It needsh ta be tough. Difficult, fer a mortal... but not imposshible. Tesht all formsh of shtrength. Physhical, otherwishe... 'n then... if they can do that..."
"Comprehension." Three fingers. "Ta fight Malevolence... meansh they're gonna be exposhed to the bad, maybe even to the point they forget the good. Ya should convey that through the flame... and in the processh, they'll prove they know and reshpect the flame itshelf. They're one in the shame. Finally..."
Four fingers, on this one. "Will." Lanval's eyes open up half-lidded again, a shine of that color peeking through. "...What the mortal goesh through - the one who would otherwishe be shtrong enough ta be a Seer - should be a lot to take in. All at once. At thish point, they've proven they are of merit, of capability, of comprehenshion... but ta be aware of all of that, 'n shtill hold onto the reashon they came that far... that'sh the big one. If they can accomplish that..."
Lanval sets his hand down on the gourd, eyes closing. "...That'sh a Seer before me. Talise Gianfair, the First Seer of Water... Layna Manydays, the Second Seer of Water." He doesn't slur the names, speaking them as though reverent. "They passhed all thoshe trialsh. Talise... she did really good on the third one - the Comprehenshion. Sho good, she made me realize I hadn't come up with a clear way ta move on with the lasht part... ha ha ha!" She probably did not find what she had to do all that funny. "Layna... she took me by shurprishe on the lasht one. But she alwaysh had a clear idea of what she doesh 'n why..."
Lanval's laughter lightens up, sobering some, as he taps at the neck of that gourd. "...The third... that woulda been Sephilia Lampbright." Lanval bows his head some. Then he straightens up, as if started. "Oh... make no mishtake, she ain't dead, she ain't hurt! It'sh jusht... mmm. If it were me alone, I woulda shaid yesh... but..."
He shakes his head. "She got shaky 'bout what represhented the meansh in which she'd take up armsh fer the water... 'n then she couldn't do the shecond tesht. I... washn't expectin' that. She'sh a great friend ta me, young ash she ish... never woulda thought she'd be the firsht ta fail it. But... mmm. Shorry, 'm talkin' yer wind off, there'sh an important point ta all thish..."
He looks back out to the sea. "She came with to the Lunabelle - the Malevolence-filled ship that came ashore - 'n she did all right. But... Talise shure got pushed to the brink, keepin' hold of her emotionsh 'n purposhe. Undershtandably sho... that wash her family." He sighs a soft, if stupid, smile. He is inwardly glad he was able to help give them as much lucidity as he could, for however long he managed by pushing back the ambient Malevolence so it didn't spur them into a new discordant fury. "...if Sephilia were a Seer then 'n tried ta Purify that... even though I conshider her a great friend, 'n have sho much fun hearin' 'bout the world from her..."
Another sip from the gourd. "...It mighta gotten really ugly. The tesht showed me that in a shafe way that she washn't ready for that kinda burden, for that kinda thing... sho... what I wanted ta shay wash..."
Gourd's back on his lap. He turns to look to Boudicca, to her eyes.
"I know ya get real shentimental 'bout it... 'n hey, I shure do too... I think the time'sh gonna come that yer gonna want ta find another Seer of Fire ta sherve alongshide Ida, 'n when ya do... ya need ta make real shure, thish way, that they're of merit, capable, comprehend, and have the will ta be and do all of that at once."
He raises his drinking gourd up into the open air - in one hand. This takes his everything to do, but it is bolstered in knowing that Talise and Layna are both supporting this burden by proxy... as if to offer a toast to the full Gaia above.
"Filgaia dependsh on that."
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Boudicca has posed.
Boudicca is trying to be more like them, but Lanval has more experience blending in with mortals, too. It's in the little things, like bothering to go through the motions of breath. It's not the same sort of expression it is with her, but it is still a statement.
Well, there's more than one way to make a statement. It's in his words, weight given to special few. Boudicca listens and does not interrupt, nodding thoughtfully as he explains his reasoning. Merit, capability, comprehension, and will; perhaps it's no mistake, she thinks, that he has chosen four. There is power in the number and its repetition: four directions, eight elements.
She listens, too, as he speaks of his Seers - and the one who was not. "Do not worry on that," she assures him, when he apologises for talking so much, and perhaps she has taken him literally. "Please, go on." So he does, describing their experiences on the Lunabelle. It speaks to the resilience of Talise, but also, she thinks, on the danger. On one level she knew the dangers they asked of them -- but it is still confronting, to realise what they are asking of their mortal friends, though she ought to protect them.
Not so long ago, she would have denied them the chance. Now she knows they are stronger than she has credited them, but their abilities do not change her concern for their welfare.
"You are correct," she puffs out a sigh, again. (It is, strictly speaking, more a breeze which eminates from her, a light ruffle which could be excused for sea weather if one did not know their present company.) "I think, in a sense, I came to realise something similar... I wished for Ida to join me not only because of our friendship, though certainly it was a large factor. Ida has, ah..." Her fingers rub together in a loose gesture, as she thinks of how to put it, "... experience with Malevolence, which lends her a knowing compassion in its handling. She knows better than most its depths, and the weight afforded its malice. This, and other factors, led me to believe she would be a fine champion... but it is true I may not always have the benefit of seeing this growth in every mortal I meet. I would not like to cause them harm..."
She looks to the sky, as well. "And there is much riding upon our success, yes. Much on our innovation, as well. We are something new, Lanval. There is no guide offered us... and so I thank you for your wisdom," she says, as she looks down from the orb above to the gourd and facsimile below. "I will strive to adapt it to my own path." He's correct, after all, to surmise that wind and fire are a different beat to water multiplied. A different beat - but the song is not so different. They are both Oracles, now; not only Seraphim.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Lanval has posed.
Lanval draws back the gourd as Boudicca finally gets to have her words in all of this. The trust she has for her current Seer is reaffirmed, with a patient but affirmative nod for her. It is true that they've received no further instruction or guidance, owing to the novelty of the situation. No precedents that they know of in all of creation. They are the first two Oracles of the two worlds in the modern day - or even any day.
All the better reason to set up as many safeguards as possible to prevent grave, existentially deadly mistakes.
"Mmmm... thanksh fer comin' out," Lanval says as he faces away from the full Gaia above, "I know yer deeply concerned 'bout... well, guessh it doeshn't bear repeatin' at thish point." Obsession still lives. Ida has received mysterious health complications that may or may not be related to the pact. Talise may still yet hold intense feelings for whoever or whatever was responsible for doing that to her family. Both, so far, have withstood these complications admirably - they are strong-willed women who have endured so much and come out the other end of all that all the stronger, all the more compassionate for it.
The same could be said about a lot of them.
Lanval could sit there and stare longingly at that suffering - but so far enduring - world he is sworn to, that yet remains out of reach. He knows full well that there is at least one other huge problem on the sphere that would become as lifeless dust that will require both of their immediate attentions once they can return.
For now, as Talise helped focus his perspective thus, they can only do what's within their immediate grasp: helping stop Malevolence's spread lest it coalesces into such circumstances that it could threaten Filgaia again.
"Come," he says as he slips off the crates as though a pratfall, on his back... smoothly rolling onto his feet like it were an intentional stunt, standing upright (mostly) before the Oracle of Moor Gault.
"...Can't keep our friendsh waitin'." Not just 'our Seers,' who are the mortals they would need to be most concerned about. 'Our friends.' (...or rather, 'our friendsh.')
This is here, on Lunar, where they cannot hear the voices of their patron Guardians. Once they return to Filgaia, within metaphysical earshot of the very embodiments of Filgaia, how much luxury will they have in which to keep so much on a personal scale when there is so much to do?