2019-07-25: A Will to Share

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  • Log: A Will to Share
  • Cast: Lunata Croze, Belize
  • Where: Djose Temple
  • Date: 25th July 2019
  • Summary: Belize and Lunata speak in the midst of the latter's preparation for the Shoopuf course...


<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

A couple of hours (or even a day after) the introduction of the novice Summoner to Djose's fold...

Djose Temple is still a bustling hub of activity at present -- though it doesn't always need to be morose and grim, of news about the war. In particular, there's a rare spot of excitement and cheer from some of the people staying at the Temple at present towards the mess hall...

Which seems to be originating from a display piece Lunata is working on -- slacked out of her jacket and yukata, she's instead in a cooking outfit with a double-breasted jacket and apron as she applies the finishing touch on what looks like a colourful miniature stained-glass house... made completely out of tempered sugar, in red, blue, green, white, yellow and other bright colours.

It looks like quite the delicate piece of work.

"... well, that should do it. I would keep it in the box I provided to cool until you get to the Moonflow for serving," she explains to a Hypello in servicewar, who bows to her.

She looks to the rest of the crowd to go, "There're confectioneries and desserts. Please, help yourself to some."

Indeed, there's serving platters full of pretty little treats like pink shoopuff pastries, a berry special platter of fruit, and so forth...

What's all this for?

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

After arranging for the head priest to speak with Ena about her desire to become a Summoner--and Belize wishes her well with it, however it may go for her--the Macalania Temple priest has been restless. When they heard of some kind of to-do in the kitchen, someone cooking up all sorts of goodies, they came to check it out. Now they've been watching Lunata bake for about half an hour now. When finally she completes her sugar house, they finally move from the wall, stepping aside to let the Hypello serviceperson take the sugar house down to the Moonflow.

"Impressive work," they say, watching them go before turning back around towards the platters. The crowds have already surged forward to get a taste of some; Belize /hella/ wants one for themself, but they decide to wait until the crowds have thinned. Instead, they focus again on Lunata.

It truly is impressive work, too. If they didn't know her... circumstances... they would wonder why she doesn't do this for a living instead of offering her sword up for those who need it. As it is, well... "How long have you been doing this sort of thing for? I can't imagine I could find better at a professional bakery."

<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

There's a tired, but still kind of proud smile from Lunata as she turns to Belize, taking off the cloth around her head that she's had on like some kind of lunchlady bandana. (One day I'll figure out a better name for it, but until then.)

"Thank you. Here... I recommend one of these," she hands a small plate with a single pink shoopuff-pastry. "The stained glass house is a centerpiece, but the puff will be the day to day seller at the Moonflow's service stations."

Belize asks how long she's been doing it, and she rubs her chin in thought for a moment. "Since I was little, more or less. My adoptive family had an aunt and uncle who ran a saloon back in Gaia; Aunt Hilda, her name was. She taught me everything about cooking, baking and culinary duties."

She bobs her head with a squint to say, "Until recently, I was travelling a lot more... so I wound up being the head cook for various places, including the Yggdrasil..."

A pause.

"Well, that's in the past now..." ... save for the jacket that sticks out like a sore thumb, anyway.

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

Belize accepts the plate with the pink pastry, looking the delectable shoopuf over with interest before taking a bite. It turns out the shoopuf was a choux puff. It's absolutely delicious, and it's hard for them not to devour the whole thing on the spot. Somehow they manage to savor it as they listen to Lunata's explanations.

"I expect it'll be very popular," they remark. They hope nobody trips and drops them all into the river. That would be a terrible waste of such culinary skill. "What will you do with your earnings?"

Ah, family. They haven't seen theirs in an age, the rest of them still living in Bevelle. They do tilt their head at-- "Adoptive?" It might be a sensitive topic, though, so they don't press further than that. Instead, they chuckle about her wanderings. "You've had a lot of experience for someone so young, then. No wonder you're so skilled." A pause. "...In the past, hm." They gave over at the mountains of shoopufs. "The past has a tendency to haunt us, though. And you in particular seem to be hanging on to some mementos."

<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

Lunata looks at Belize with a little bit of trepidation and anticipation -- though the expressions they give seem to satisfy her in turn. "I don't really have much interest in money," she admits... and the understated implication is that if she gets what she wants -- her final rest -- she won't /need/ money anyway.

"Just cooking and sharpening my skills. ... so I'll probably give it in donation to the needy," she lowers her head. "I heard the head chef at the Moonflow's Shoopuf attractions was hurt during the attack at Luca, I offered to take up the duty in the meantime."

A pause as Belize comments on mementos...

"... yeah. I thought I could throw away everything I possessed in Gaia. ... but I find myself really clinging onto that jacket. And yes, adoptive... so... more than one group of people, they... they have been -- are family to me, everyone onboard that ship."

She looks to where it's hanging on a coat rack not far away.

"And the way in which I was brought here, it was very abrupt, so I never got to have a good-bye or anything. So you're right... it is a lingering, unresolved, haunting thing."

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

Belize considers that answer. It makes perfect sense to them, but the implication would then be-- "So you aren't taking money for it at all?" they wonder. Lunata goes on to answer that question, though, and they go, "/Ah/," as they nod. "If you're donating it, it would be polite to donate it to this temple. You *are* using their kitchen, after all," they point out. "And there's still so many refugees to help. I'm sure it would be a great help." They smile. "It's kind of you to volunteer, regardless." That kindness of Lunata's makes her sad fate even more tragic. ...that thought, though, they keep to themself.

"Mmm." They gaze around the room; the crowds, now that they've gotten their 'puff fix, are dispersing. "Were none of them brought along too?" they wonder. "I understand what you mean, though. The living are full of desires. When those desires are shorn, we're left with regrets. That's especially true when it concerns those we love." Their expression darkens. "...Left without closure, we cannot help but linger over those memories, foolish though that may be."

<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

"Yes, I did speak with the high priest regarding that... he seemed quite happy with the arrangement," Lunata nods in turn to Belize. "And atop that... well, it's ... kind of nice to give a bit of morale back to the people with these treats, I think." A part of her does struggle a little with whether it's inappropriate, but... it isn't as if a constant diet of slop and gruel would soothe any refugee's worries.

She looks to Belize again as they catch that gaze of theirs around the room. "... it's why the Sending is important, isn't it? Because try as we might, we can't help but have lingering attachments and desires... and that's what binds them. Not being able to let go..."

She wraps her arms around herself for a moment. That expression of Belize's doesn't quite go unnoticed, but she doesn't say anything. She feels like there's hurt behind there too, but... just like she didn't speak of being adopted, it's best to not pry too hard.

"... ... I suppose I am an example of that too. A dead body... but still with the thoughts and feelings of a living being. It feels... contradictory."

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

"Good," Belize says with an approving little nod. There's little to be found lacking in Maester Seymour's newest Guardian. She's proof alone, in her eyes, that not everything about the Otherworlders is terrible. ...maybe a hasty judgment, but Belize is prone to bias like that. "I'm sure they appreciate it, Lunata. Yevon knows the people need as much consolation as they can get."

Sending. They bow their head, spiky bangs shadowing their eyes. "Yes. That's precisely so," they murmur. "You have a keen understanding, Lunata. I'd almost mistake you for a local by now." They look back over at her. "...Or perhaps human beings are just that similar no matter where you go." Which makes it that much more vexing that Spira, and Spira alone, must suffer Sin's wrath. Oh, sure, Sin may have visited an offshore town /once/, but does that really count in the face of a thousand years of destruction? Belize, who is frankly an arrogant and selfish kind of person, thinks not.

"It does," they agree softly. "To be here, in the land of the living, when you should have already passed on. To still feel hurt, anger, anguish, and grief, even after death... It's cruel, and unfair." They pause for a moment. Then they give Lunata a long, unreadable look. "...but you received something in return for that, didn't you? Some compensation that lets you keep going, cruel and unfair as it may be."

<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

Lunata doesn't let go of where she's got her arms wrapped. It's a kind of vulnerable gesture, but maybe the tiredness from her culinary experience is leaving her a little so for the conversation they're having now. "... I suppose as a waitress ... that gave me a first row seat to how people behave, people tick. Sometimes the rich would come in, trying their hardest to look like a pauper, to drink away their sorrows. No matter how lofty or downtrodden they are..."

She lowers her head. "A lot of people want the same things. Maybe that's why food is such a comfort. Everyone needs to eat -- and if it's pleasureable, all the better. It brings people together."

She looks back towards Belize as they speak of what they received.

"Yes. I mentioned how I was just a waitress before. I was never combat-trained, nor was I inclined to. But falling into that arrangement of mine..."

She squints in turn.

"It was as if I was imparted the knowledge of victims past, strange as that sounds."

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

The knowledge of victims past... and the rich, disguising themselves as the poor, to drink classlessly as if that might better wash away their troubles. For someone so young, Lunata seems to have seen much, Belize muses. Then again, even if she'd been an ignorant shut-in, she'd still have seen much by the time she was cursed by that sword.

"Death is the great equalizer, or so it's said," they remark. "It comes equally to us all... rich or poor, young or old... Though perhaps it likes to vacation here and leave some of its burden to the Summoners." They shake their head. "In any case. That *does* sound strange, but I have no reason to disbelieve you. Perhaps it's a function of that blade--to ensure that its victims survive, so they have that much more life for it to steal for itself."

Or something like that. Belize is honestly reaching here. But why else would a cursed blade share the knowledge of the past with its victims?

<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

"The full story behind the blade is still unknown to me. But what I understand, was that people long, long ago angered of one of our... 'Guardians' -- not a Summoner's Guardian, but the way we call the forces of nature in our world," Lunata expresses. "And the blade was punishment... and remains so today, perhaps as a warning to those foolish enough to approach it."

She certainly isn't excluding herself from it.

"Maybe it is a test of hubris... it grants power, but I know first-hand it is a self-destructive power."

There's a little hum of thought... but then she tilts her head.

"Belize, if you would be willing to share... I wanted to know a bit more about the Aeons and Summoners too."

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

Belize nods at Lunata's explanation. They have heard that Guardian means something different for Otherworlders, but the reminder isn't untoward; they certainly would've been confused if not for it. They frown slightly and rest a hand on their chin. "It doesn't sound unlike Sin... if on a far, far smaller scale," they remark. "Perhaps it's just a coincidence, though. Certainly humanity has no lack of fools needing punishment for their arrogance."

They sigh. They aren't excluding themself from that, either. Lunata segues into Aeons and Summoners then, though, and they blink. "Certainly--I have no reason not to tell you what I can. But why the sudden curiosity?" As far as they know, her attempt at getting Sent ended in failure...

<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

"... there is a similarity there, I admit," Lunata speaks as Belize mentions Sin. "I do wonder at what point it becomes fruitless. I fell into this situation not knowing of what sins our ancestors committed, after all..." She doesn't quite contrast it with how many people, faithful, die not attached to what the ancestral Spirans committed. But its' kind of on her mind.

"I just wanted to know, I suppose. I heard a bit from the high priest of the Fayth at this Djose Temple. I saw Lady Yuna summon that winged Aeon, and your serpentine one too..."

A tilt of her head.

"In our home, a 'Guardian' embodies an... element of nature. Whether water, fire or mountains... to even more esoteric concepts." She gestures to the Orochi-Agito at the weapon-rack. "In my case, death."

A pause.

"I was wondering how an Aeon chooses their summoner, or vice versa... I remember when you mentioned that ideally, Ena should have started at her hometown of Kilika. I get the feeling Summoners are representatives of their place of origin?"

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

"It is never fruitless," Belize says firmly and immediately. They are, after all, a faithful Yevonite. "It may seem frustrating since our individual lives are so short compared to those who would see our punishment through, but one day we will find atonement. It may not be our generation, but as long as we remain diligent and steadfast, one day..." They trail off, remembering that they promised to help Lunata break the curse for *her*; then they cough discreetly into a fist. "...Forgive me. I, ah, ended up sliding off-topic there," they say to cover it up, letting the implication that they meant Spirans only stay.

But in any case, Aeons and their Summoners. Belize listens to Lunata's explanation, humming low at what she says about Filgaian Guardians. They smile, though, at what Lunata says about Ena.

"It isn't that," they reply. "Only a select few may become Summoners, and that's because one needs to have the ability to make contact with an Aeon and bring it into being. This is an ability that can be tested for at a temple; I only meant that if she could have been tested at her homeland, she wouldn't have had to come all the way here not even knowing for certain if she even *can* become a Summoner. Poor girl."

A pause. "As for Aeons and Summoners... There is a long period of training before a Summoner can actually /become/ a Summoner. Before that, we are but apprentices. We become a full-fledged one once we successfully essay a temple's Cloister of Trials, pray to that temple's fayth, and successfully bond with the Aeon. It's simple to say, but extremely difficult to do. When I first made my attempt in my hometown, Bevelle, I'm ashamed to say that I could not make the fayth respond to me." They chuckle dryly. "This only made me *more* stubborn though, so I traveled with my Guardians to Macalania Temple and tried again. It was there that I became a true Summoner, and Cambria--that is, my nickname for the Aeon of Ice, Shiva--came to me."

<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

Lunata quietly contemplates on Belize's beliefs on being diligent and steadfast, in the hopes of finding atonement. There's a quiet smile on her face.

"... you're a kind person too, Belize. There are a lot of people who would give up the moment they hear they won't see atonement or reward in their lifetimes. But giving it your all, sacrificing something so that future generations might have an easier life..."

She watches several kids play around with their puff pastries.

She shakes her head as she smiles. "It's all right."

Then, about Summoners...

"Ah... I see," Lunata nods, clearly misunderstanding a little about what it might have meant. She furrows her brow, thinking of how it is for Shamans and Guardians... but Belize mentions that the Fayth did not respond to her.

"I can honestly scarce imagine what it might be like. I imagine there is a lot of pressure to succeed for a lot of Summoners," Lunata remarks. A longer pause. "I am glad your resolve did not waver, and that you were able to bond with one at the end."

She gestures.

"In a way, it was... sssomewhat... similar to me. I was never a worshipper of Ge Ramtos -- this Guardian of Death. I worshipped another Guardian all my life, Zeldukes, the 'Castle' Guardian -- a symbol of shelter, community and togetherness, amongst people."

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

Belize blinks, wide and rapid, when Lunata calls them kind. It's not something they're often called, to be sure. When she explains why, though, they soften and even smile. Their gaze follows Lunata's over to the children playing with their shoopuf pastries, in this moment giggling and carefree. "A thousand years of the faithful have done the same up until now so that *I* could live. How could I do any differently?"

They toss their braided hair with one hand at Lunata's praise. There's no denying they enjoy it. "One couldn't become a Summoner without resolve," they say. "But you have a point. Growing up in Bevelle, which rarely sees Sin attacks thanks to its location, I admit I was somewhat spoiled. Looking back, perhaps Bahamut's fayth was trying to test me in his own way."

Not a worshipper of Ge Ramtos, but of Zeldukes, who represents shelter, community and togetherness. "Zeldukes sounds like a fine Guardian," they remark. "But we don't precisely *worship* the fayth. Not exactly. And while making a bond with one Aeon is enough to become a Summoner, to being a *High* Summoner--to face and challenge Sin, and have a hope of defeating it--requires far, far more."

<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

"It's inspiring," is what Lunata responds in kind to Belize, though she doesn't embellish it too hard. She doesn't need to. She listens more about the resolve it takes to have the fayth respond to them...

There's a quiet nod and an 'mm'.

"Many Shamans in our land dedicate their entire lives -- and entire communities at that -- around just one Guardian. Like I did with Zeldukes in my youth. But... yes, I see," Lunata nods in turn. "That's why the pilgrimage, like Lady Yuna goes on. Why she stops at each Temple to commune with each Fayth..."

She frowns quietly.

"I can't really imagine what a successful High Summoner's battle against Sin that brings the Calm might even look like, if I were to be truthful."

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

Belize smiles on. Lunata doesn't embellish, and they take the compliment at that, as it is. It's not good to get a big head, but they can't deny they like the praise--not just for them, but for their people and faith and history, considering the Guard is doing its level best to level it all.

"Truly? Hmm... I suppose that might be akin to the priests who tend to the temples," Belize muses. Their smile fades as they fold their arms. "I... failed on my pilgrimage. So now, I serve as a priest at Macalania Temple, where my journey began. Maester Seymour is the head priest there, as you may already know. It's a good temple. Though they're all good, in their own ways," they add.

The pilgrimage. Why Yuna goes on. Belize nods once. "The pilgrimage serves to test and strengthen the Summoner. One must travel to and pray at each of the temples in turn before heading to the Calm Lands. Besaid, Kilika, Djose, Macalania, and then at last Bevelle... When Yuna has prayed at all of these temples, she will make her way to Zanarkand to seek the Final Aeon." They puff out a small sigh. "...But, there are more Aeons than these. Temples have been destroyed; Aeons have been lost, or even stolen. Leviathan's temple sank under the sea. After years of research, I re-discovered its location, but..." They grip their arms tight. "While the fayth heard my prayers... the cost was far too great."

A long pause. Lunata admits she can't even admit what that battle would look like. "It's difficult for me to imagine, too," they admit. "The only person who could tell you is Sir Auron, who currently serves as one of Yuna's Guardians, and ten years ago served her father, High Summoner Braska, in kind."

<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

Lunata's smile fades a bit. "... it's more heartening to see the temples of Yevon, if I'm honest. In Gaia, in our world... the worship has largely been forgotten -- or worse, actively frowned upon or persecuted on. Even in my hometown of Adlehyde, where people aren't hostile to it..."

She gestures. "The one statue of Zeldukes was all I had to go to. No temple, no church. And it was in great disrepair, so I spent time cleaning and washing it every day as part of my routine..." A pause.

She smiles more tiredly. "Maybe soon, we'll be able to visit Macalania. I heard about how wonderful the forests and their light trails are too. I'd like to see it sometime."

Belize explains the order of Yuna's journey. There's quite a lot of temples to visit, and with the Guard interfering, it might even get more difficult.

But Belize mentions Leviathan, a Fayth that had bene lost to the people. She blinks a few times. "Leviathan... that was the Aeon that I saw in that battle?"

The cost was far too great.

"I see... I... won't pry, if I am making you remember wounds too harsh to recall," Lunata admits. The way Belize said they 'failed' on her pilgrimage was enough to draw enough conclusions, and if the details were something they didn't wish to discuss... well, that's enough.

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

"Oh?" Belize looks over at Lunata. They slowly frown as she explains. "I see... You have my deepest sympathies. It gives me the chills to think of our temples in such a state..." Which is how they might well end up if the Church of Althena has its way. They shudder at the idea. "At the least, I'm sure Zeldukes appreciated your piety in cleaning his statue every day."

They return her smile. "I would be pleased to give you a tour of the temple sometime. It is indeed a lovely area. There's a path of light through the forest, and the lake's surface is frozen solid. It's dreadfully cold, but beautiful."

Yuna has at least visited three temples so far. Once she hits Macalania and Bevelle, she'll have met the bare minimum... but her journey would still take a long while from there. Belize lets out a long breath. "I appreciate your discretion," they say softly. They do like Lunata, and have a certain measure of trust for her, but... some things just aren't easy to talk about. Maybe sometime later. "And yes. Leviathan takes the form of a great sea serpent. Apparently, once upon a time, they were considered a counterpart for Bahamut, the Aeon of Bevelle Temple; Bahamut was called Lord of the Skies, while Leviathan was dubbed the Lord of All Waters. But Leviathan's temple sank... and that was that." They shake their head. "The inside is still dry, if you can believe it; the main structure is intact even now, and there's air left inside. But the entrance is underwater, and not easy to reach. I barely managed it, myself."

<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.

"... I hope so, myself," Lunata nods quietly to Belize as they express that Zeldukes appreciated her piety. Sometimes, she's not sure if the Guardian even hears her pleas. And that's not uncommon. Many people go their entire lives not hearing from the waning voices of the Guardians...

That so many Drifters were called to the Temple is nothing short of miracle, or fate.

"A frozen lake? ... I definitely have to see now. I've only been to an icy region once, and that was for war. Otherwise I've lived in a desert wasteland all my life..."

She sounds contemplative as Belize talks about Leviathan, and Bahamut. "... yes, I could believe it. Back in Gaia, a number of sunken ruins had pockets of stale air and... there was that sunken monastery of Gusong's in Kilika too, when I was helping evacuate the monks. But... I see."

She smiles quietly. "Well... I'm not presumptuous enough to speak for a Fayth, but I imagine it is a relief to be represented by a Summoner, and not be truly lost forever."

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

"A desert wasteland? That sounds terrible," Belize says. Just, absolutely puts that out there. "I can't imagine living in a place like that by choice. Gaia seems like a sad planet indeed if that's what you have to put up with." They frown, eyes narrowing at an unspoken thought; however, they leave it unspoken. At least Gaia had enough water to have its own underwater ruins, though really, that's not much consolation.

Their smile returns. "You're right. When I prayed to the fayth, they told me it had been hundreds of years since anyone had come to pray. What a lonely existence, I had thought..." Their expression steels. "If possible, I would like to recover the statue of their fayth one day. Even if I can no longer complete my pilgrimage, they can still help other young Summoners, like Yuna."

A call comes from the next room for more delicious treats. Belize glances that way, then chuckles. "It seems your adoring public awaits, Lunata. I'll leave you to your baking." They turn to leave, but before they do, they add, "If you'd like to know more, feel free to ask at any time. I'll explain everything I can to you, as best I can."