2019-09-19: Ahead On Our Way

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<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

ON THE WAY IN

The word has it that Macalania Temple is no longer at battle stations, and is letting travelers in once again. The word also has it that Maester Seymour is throwing a party there to celebrate his engagement to Lady Yuna...!

The approach is worth a little detail; to access Macalania Temple requires going under the ice that describes the nominal 'surface' of the frozen lake. It turns out not to be -- there's a vast open space underneath, a hollow, spanned by intricate icy bridges which spirals inward (get it?) to the ornate purple-and-gold Yevonite structure at the exact center of the chasm. The temple is built directly into the ice, connected at its roof, and at the bridge... and below, like a graceful drill into the true surface of the lake. There is water down there, far, far down, and not all of it is frozen.

Sometimes Spira is a mysterious place...

The door is flanked by everburning torches of brilliant, mysterious blue. And by a dour-looking monk. Bald head, flowing robes, nose and mouth covered by his high collar (probably a kindness, in this freezing cold), he is blocking the way in. His arm is outstretched in the universal, interplanetary gesture to STOP; his chin is high with conviction.

"Halt!" he demands. "The likes of her," he glances at Rikku, in the vanguard of those seeking access, "And them," his eyes slide over the foreign Drifters just as a general statement, "Are not welcome in this hallowed place."

Auron shoulders his way to the front. "She is a guardian," he declares, "And they are guardians in deed if not in word. It was Otherworlders who helped Yuna reach this temple safely."

The monk harumphs. "Al Bhed and Otherworlders? Preposterous!"

Auron gives him a flat gaze, helped by his sunglasses. "They did more for her than the Guado guardians."

The monk, for the record, is human; Yevon traditionalism drives his prejudices, rather than racial nationalism. But, nevertheless, he pauses, and gives the group a second look in general, and Rikku in particular...

"Very well," he says, begrudgingly, and stands aside. His arms fold. "I will hold you personally responsible if anything happens."

Auron doesn't spare the man another glance, as he leads the way in.

NOW

Yevonite Temples are normally solemn places, filled only by the quiet prayer of supplicants, and, occasionally, the hymn of the fayth.

Today, Macalania Temple's icy Great Hall is anything but. Roaring fires have been built in every hearth, their light twinkling off the chandelier on the ceiling, as well as curious displays of showering sparkles, which are intermingled with the more ordinary statuary of the chamber to lend it an extra-festive pop.

The air is full of wonderful aromas -- savory, grilled meats and mushrooms, beautifully arranged platters of fruit, plus sparkling juices and richly poured, steaming-hot wines. The buffet table is piled high with overflowing plenty, a welcome sight in the glacier's stark wasteland. There are no cranky monks blocking anyone's path to the food.

Indeed, no one inside seems cranky at all. Quite the opposite, really. There is a sense of levity, of unrestrained giddiness, that is wholly unfamiliar to Spira. Even the blitzball tournament was nothing like this. The monks and nuns of Macalania Temple -- as well as some other visitors, including any number of Guado -- seem to be simply over the moon. They welcome the Drifters with a rousing cheer, and many glasses lift in greeting (while many more are poured).

One woman is even more effervescent than the rest. "Maester Seymour and Lady Yuna," the recently-fledged nun Shelinda, a girl, really, about Yuna's age herself, radiant in her formal green attire, but much more than that, in her falling-off-her-face-smile, is happy to tell everyone in sight, "I couldn't be happier... even if it was my own wedding. Now, victims of Sin will have something to be joyful about! I am indebted to Lady Yuna. Whenever and wherever they are to hold the ceremonies, I'll make sure to be there!"

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

What does an engagement party have?

A lot of things. Talia has, in Spira, grown as a person. She rescued her brother; she helped her brother escape the life of an assassin, she learned a lot about herself, and has made fast friends. But, some things do not change.

Because, at heart, Talia is a goddess-be-damned gremlin that is crashing the engagement party of Maester Seymour and Yuna.

The band plays, fires provide heat and light, and there is a band. It is with bright, eager crimson eyes as she looks around -- taking in what Shelinda says -- and then looks at the food and the drink. Then, she claps her hands together.

"Here's to a happy couple! So happy to know them!" Talia cheers. "Come on, Vanya! Let's have so many drinks in their honor! It will not be awkward for you at all, no?"

She laughs like an idiot, flashing a thumbs-up to Shelinda, and then starts towards the bar.

"Praise Yevon! Praise Maester Seymour! Praise Lady Yuna!" she cries. "And... praise wine! Oh, is this expensive--take the whole bottle? Why yes, I think I will!"

Krelian's eyebrow twitches as she plucks a bottle from his hands. He quickly turns and walks away, shoving some Guado Guardian into the role of bartender.

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

"Of all the places to go, it's the one under the ice," Talise grumbles as she pulls herself a little deeper into her coat. It's crisp, cut from dark grey fabric, trimmed around the collar with a big shag of creamy fur.

Fortunately, the Great Hall has fires. It helps a lot. So do the aromas. By the time everyone's gathered, the towering swordswoman has carved out (metaphorically) a space for herself at the buffet table. A large plate in her hand, Talise busily stacks food items atop it. Mushrooms pile around a huge bird leg beneath a slab of some kind of roast beast surrounded by a bevy of bountiful baked goods, with a corner of the plate given over to vegetables as if to remind Talise that, yes, it is important to be healthy.

"Caaaaan't past up this one," Talise decides as she tops it all off with a goblet of hot wine, which she somehow manages to balance in the crook of her arm before turning to weave through the crowd. It's not fair to describe her course as gliding. She's more like a large, well-dressed plow - her coat's open to reveal the turtleneck, slacks and maroon sash Noeline and Riesenlied picked out for her years ago.

"Man. This is the best spread I've seen since we got here," Talise determines. "Yuna should get hitched more often!"

that's not how it works talise

Overhearing Talia, Talise leans in and raises her goblet in turn, somehow managing to not lose the sausage link hanging off the edge of her plate. "Amen!" she exclaims boisterously. "Here's to the happy couple!" 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline Barber can't help but feel a little underdressed for this. The Caravan Kinship had made their way to Macalania Temple to offer their assistance in protecting it...but she could have never imagined that she would find herself in the middle of, well...

...An engagement party.

Should she...retreat back to the Carakin and change clothes? ...No, it wasn't far away, but it was too far for her comfort. She'd just kind of have to...deal with it. She was normally comfortable with fancy get-togethers like this, but not when she came here expecting a fight.

And so, that is why Jacqueline Barber can currently be found standing near one of the bowls of juice, a glass in her hand and looking around at all the other drifters who found their way here.

She has to wonder if they're all feeling as awkward about this as she is.

She glances toward Shelinda, and offers her an awkward smile.

"I heard they were getting married, but I didn't realise they were celebrating so, um, so soon. Well, I wish them the best..." She comments.

Her eyes drift briefly over toward Talia. ...Well, at least she's enjoying herself...? Not everyone could at a time like this.

- Meanwhile... -

A certain Seraph of Light, Clarine, sits in the corner of the room, trying very, very hard not to be noticed. No one told her that a party would be involved. She wasn't a fan of large gatherings like this.

A part of her preferred the fighting. The only reason she hasn't yet become invisible is because she didn't want to accidentally get stepped on by anyone. 

<Pose Tracker> Gon Guado has posed.

        "I understand the infatuation. Yes. There is much to be said about those who stood and fought for our fair land," speaks one of the older Guado present in the company of several. Gon Guado, a veteran Guado Guardian who has seen his share of... shall one say... setbacks and indignities... throughout this entire ordeal about Otherworlder social upheaval. "Maester Seymour's graces and kindness as they are, I would keep expectations in--"
        The arrivals are met with roaring cheers - many among the gathered recognize now the good done by the weathered but virtuous souls of the Drifters. Some of them cheering now owe their very lives to them. Even Gon Guado does, a few times over.
        Gon Guado does not cheer alongside them, cut off by the celebration erupting around him. He stares balefully, bringing his huge hand over his face in a not at all subtle facepalm. "Yes, they have arrived in a timely fashion, as I was," absolutely not, "about to state..."
        I had an understanding with the guards at the post, Gon inwardly murmurs. His machinations are already undone from the jump - they have arrived to partake, and those surrounding him seem all the more joyous for it.
        Gon supposes of all the days since the upheaval, this would be the one day to not let the joy of Maester Seymour's and Lady Yuna's union be overshadowed by the company present. 

<Pose Tracker> Emeralda Kasim has posed.

Emeralda Kasim knows the following things about this gathering:

1) It is a wedding, which is happy;
2) She hasn't been invited *particularly*, but they will let her in;
3) She hasn't been to a wedding before and she kind of wants to see one.

Also, Elly is going so that works out. She has been wanting to spend more time with her anyway.

Emeralda has not really dressed up, but her red and black dress looks fashionable and fancy enough to fit in. She has gotten rid of the scarf (for today) because it doesn't seem to suit the tone. She is also very obviously a tourist because she is looking here, there, and everywhere at the strange and wonderful Macalania Temple grand hall and the tunnel that heads down into it.

"Wow! It's all ice! But it isn't all melted. And it isn't all frozen! How do they do that?" Emeralda is already asking Elly rapid-fire questions as she walks - well, darts around her 'mother'. Emeralda moves fast and she's using that speed to go forward, back, and around Elly whenever anything catches her eye. Like a statue, which she spends about ten seconds looking up at. 

<Pose Tracker> Ivan has posed.

Where is Marivel!?! She hired Ivan to help protect the pilgramage, and now has VANISHED, leaving him adrift in the most terrifying of all places: A FANCY PARTY.

Is... is he done with the job? Should he leave? But surely Yuna won't be gone forever, and will have more to do that people will try to thwart...

That there is tons of good food and wine does not seem to outweigh the fact that there are STRANGERS and he does not know what to SAY to them, and he spends a while weaving through the crowd like he's trying to do a stealth minigame.

But then...!!! He's saved! Talia came to crash the party!! He hugs her with what may be some anime tears of relief.

"Taliaaaa! You're here! Why are you here?" 

<Pose Tracker> Loren Voss has posed.

        As far as most people know or care, Loren is Thomas, the junior scribe to the Maester's own scribe Krelian. This is an arrangement that has suited him just fine, because it means he's just notable enough to be able to access certain places, but generally not so notable that he ends up saddled with, say, the same sort of resposibilities due the scribe himself.

        However, unfortunately, it does still mean that he has to go to important parties.

        Like, for example, this one. Apparently the Maester is marrying some summoner, a fact that Loren might appreciate a little more if he were paying more attention to politics beyond the part where the war between Yevon and the Guard might jeopardize his way home. As suits him, he's so far been avoiding talking to anyone and has done what most wallflowers do at a complicated busy party:

        Eat the food.

        Which is when a call goes up. A toast to-- what?

        Oh, right, to the couple. He lifts a glass, glancing about him to make sure he's not the only one.

        ...Come to think of it, this makes the second engagement party he's ever attended in his life... 

<Pose Tracker> Lulu has posed.

Lulu, after the tense entrance handled by Auron, filed into the temple and has been quiet, since. Oh, the fires are bright, the Great Hall is lovely, downright beautiful... But as Lulu steps inside, looks around, she does not similarly brighten. Oh, she doesn't bring it down, isn't contagiously dour, but remains quiet as she often is, focused. She considers the Trials ahead... Though it seems there is no need, really.

As she takes a glass, Lulu inclines her head to Shelinda, calmly regarding her clear radiant cheer. "I'm sure she'll be glad to see you," Lulu answers the young nun, and it is something at least that she is sure is true.

But rather than stick around for pleasantries, she inclines her head again to excuse herself past, and moves...

To take a couple of small food items that can be kept in hand. It's been a long trip, and it would be wasteful to do otherwise.

...But if she listens to the Hymn, it is easy to appreciate the peace this hall projects. ...Though she will probably be embroiled in pleasantries with some of the nuns and monks present shortly, she imagines. ...Or asked questions by the Otherworlders. A moment's listening in the warmth is nice. 

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

Yes, there is a band in the corner. A three-piece band, in either truly extraordinary full-body mascot costumes or else of extremely unusual races. Either way, there's plenty to gawk at, between the very catlike woman with the immense horn that occupies a place on the spectrum somewhere between recorder, bass clarinet, and saxophone -- the blue-skinned, wide-mouthed froglike creature with the literal belly drum -- and the feather-crowned avian tuning up an intricate harp. They're all wearing robes that both evoke Yevon and... don't, at the same time. Something about them feels ancient, and attached to traditions that are, if not older, nonetheless subtly different.

They smell like Macalania Forest -- the sharpness of crystal, the softness of butterflies, the deep, steadfast dampness of loam.

And they are here to boogie. Real excitement shines in their eyes as they strike up a peppy party tune.

<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.

Ashton Anchors doesn't belong here.
 
That's not an entirely literal statement, but one he does feel. Yuna is a nice lady, but that's about as far as it goes. He isn't a Yevonite (and in other times would probably be classified as Mildly Heretical at best just from the nature of his being), he doesn't know the Maester and honestly he sort of dislikes the Yevon faith in general after what happened with the Crusaders. This whole situation (this entire long string of politically-motivated battles) has him unhappy. He is, flatly, a foreign mercenary here largely because Marivel and ARMS hired him.
 
Also the food at this party is absolutely amazing, and Ashton is eating for three.
 
Speaking of three, they're dressed up. Ashton is in a well-appointed tux, and both Creepy and Weepy are wearing bow ties. Weepy additionally has a top hat.
 
At the loud call, Ashton raises his glass to the well-wishing but says nothing. His attention is elsewhere.
 
No, he's certainly not sneaking looks to the sphere recording of the last Ronso Fangs/Killika Beasts game. That would be rude. 

<Pose Tracker> Violet Salazar has posed.

The temple under the frozen lake is a wonder. No doubt magic -- or miraculous power -- was involved in its construction. Violet gapes, ill-at-ease in her borrowed garments, a long-sleeved sepia gown. It may not be entirely appropriate for the festivities, but at least it's warm. She gratefully accepts a goblet of hot spiced wine and heads straight for the copious tables of food, manners vying with hunger.

Hunger wins, and she piles a plate high. She doesn't turn patients away because they cannot pay, and many of them can't. She's been trading her skills on her journey through Spira -- for some food here, more supplies there, and more suitable clothing. She is not yet used to this new world. Spirans have strange ways, strange customs, strange gods, strange magic, and strange, smelly saddlebirds. At least the institution of marriage is something Spirans and Filgaians have in common. She's only seen Yuna from a distance, and doesn't see her -- or Maester Seymour -- here at the gathering. Violet has fought under Maester Seymour. She hopes they'll be very happy together! 

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

Marivel vanished shortly after leaving Ivan to horribly suffer at a party. She doesn't expect to see Yuna much again in her life and doubts that any times she does happen to see her will leave much room for them to really enjoy one another's company. She feels more like mourning than celebrating and Marivel prefers for others to not see her when she's in a condition of deep profound sorrow.

Lydia, who kind of incidentally helped Yuna out earlier by dropping a giant asteroid god on White Knight Leo has been allowed to come to the party but she doesn't seem very happy to be here though whether this is just her typical social anxiety or her distrust of Yevon is unclear. She didn't dress special for the occassion either, though she's wearing clothes on top of her, uh, 'armor' to try and come off as less like machina and more like a person. IT's honestly hard to tell how the Yevonites designate it all.

She says, "it won't be?" to Talia as she says the party won't be awkward for Vanya, which she doubts, but she also doubts this isn't going to be awkward for her either especially when Talia starts praising praising wine, following behind Talia until she literally steals a bottle of wine from...

Lydia stares at Krelian and his twitchiing eyebrow in abject horror.

Wha---!!" She stammers aloud and takes precisely one step after him. And then she freezes and quickly turns around and blinks at Thomas wondering why the fuck he is here. Seeing Krelian and the totally innocent scribe Thomas in the same party is not helping her feel comfortable at all.

On the plus side, Lydia has a large purse with her and apparently the horror of the situation does not stop her from quietly sliding in some fancy looking silverware into it when she thinks nobody's looking. In fact, she's kind of maybe stealing...too much?

Like she saw the guy from her nightmares and now can't stop stealing because it's the only thing keeping her calm right now.

"Ivan I um. I uh. I saw...uh..." She trails off unhelpfully as usual as she fiddles with a fork that does not belong to her. 

<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.

 
Elly van Houten was on standby for supporting the operation to seize and obtain assertive, kinetic control over the situation involving Yuna of Besaid. Now she has heard there was an engagement party.

MISSION... FAILED? ~ ~ ~

Elly was thus activated to get in here and see what the fudge is going on. This activation involved Emeralda. Elly is at the moment wearing a quilted robe with a sparkling pattern on it, purchased in Guadosalam, and has her hair up and wrapped in a loose decorative cloth.

The fact that this place is not totally new to her, that doesn't help either. Nor does the fact that she doesn't have her trusty Fiend-smashing staff. "I think so," Elly answers Emeralda. "My best guess is that they slightly altered the properties of water... so it stays solid, even though it's not that cold. Left to itself, water becomes ice at a certain temperature... so they just changed the temperature at which the ice melts."

A toast is being called. "Let's go get something to drink," Elly tells Emeralda. "I think that's where the food is, too!" Sidle sidle sidle sidle. (She offers Emeralda a hand, but doesn't insist on it.) 

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

        It's a festive day, to be sure. And Belize doesn't begrudge the people of Spira, or even the Otherworlders, the opportunity to celebrate. But... they think of how Yuna had looked after Seymour's proposal. Remember the secret the younger summoner had shared with them. As such, they can't help but feel uneasy. They have a bad feeling they just can't shake... like something awful is going to happen.
        
        They hope they're wrong. They truly hope so. And they hope so over their third glass of hot wine.
        
        At least this one they're nursing, glass shifting back and forth in slow ovals as they stare out a window at the snowfall outside. Their robes are of course top notch--shimmering oceanic patterns of fine cloth, a green obi and white sash holding it together. Their hair is in its usual braid, but it's adorned with a bit more jewelry than usual. They breathe out a sigh, which fogs the window white for an instant before the hearthfires warm it away.
        
        "I'm being ridiculous," they murmur to themself, putting on a pleasant smile before turning towards the buffet table and the crowds. As little as they feel like smiling, it wouldn't do to mar everyone's good cheer. This, too, is a Summoner's duty. "Everything will be fine in the end." 

<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.

        Ida considers Yuna a friend. Etiquette decrees that she show up to wish her well, or else be terribly neglectful. What kind of friend fails to show support on such a happy day?

        The heiress strides into the temple hall, a long, fur-trimmed cloak billowing around her. The white lotus emblem of the Arctican House of Raye rests between her shoulders. She carries a box under one arm, wrapped in colorful paper and topped with fresh flowers. She stops a moment, taking in the contrast between solemn sacred architecture and joyous festivities with a smile.

        "Elly?" Ida says, catching sight of a familiar redhead as she strides in. "Emeralda?" She smiles warmly. "So many familiar faces--it's good to see such a turnout." Ida grips the box in both hands, and looks around. "You wouldn't happen to... see anyone who could receive a gift for the couple, would you?" Ida glances at Gon a moment. Is he a member of the temple staff?

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"Mm-hmm! Cheers!" Talia says, clinking her bottle of wine against the rim of Talise's gauntlet, before she looks about -- then glances at Jay, and waves animatedly in her direction.

But she gets hugged by Ivan. She quickly hugs him back, arms tight around him, before she laughs. "To celebrate the happy occasion, no?" Then, she leans in, and whispers: "Wedding crashing." Then, louder:

"Drink up, brother!" She winks, and a heart floats away -- before she pops the cork out of the wine bottle, and then begins pouring expensive 125 year-old wine of classic Guado terroir into her brother's mouth like it is shoopuf swill. She flashes a thumbs-up to her best friend in the world, who is now dating her brother. "Not one bit!"

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

        -MEANWHILE...-

On one of the walls, Clarissa Arwin - in her standard outfit, sans hat - sits quietly, cradling a cup of juice and watching the crowd. She's trying to stay out of things a bit, unusually for her.

Felius still hasn't arrived. Leaving him behind to repair Guts-Dozer had torn at her. With luck, he'll catch up soon.

        -ALSO MEANWHILE...-

The CaraKin contingent is short a member: Catenna did not come to the reception. She refused to step foot in the temple at all.

        -BACK AT THE PLOT...-

Talise - taking a swig of wine and a big bite of chicken leg - swallows and grins widely at the sight of Ivan and Talia reuniting. "Hah! I knew you two were related!" she exclaims with a snap of her fingers, then squeaks and fumbles a bit before catching her plate after it nearly slips out of those selfsame fingers.

She manages to recover and clink goblets together with Talia, spilling a bit of wine in the process. "Yes!" she exclaims with a grin. "Drink up!"

As Talia begins to pour wine down Ivan's gullet, Talise grins toothily and wrenches a massive turkey drumstick off of her plate, reaching out to thrust it towards Ivan's mouth. "Eat up, too! No better time! C'mon, it's delish!" 

<Pose Tracker> Ivan has posed.

"Lydia, are you here too?" Ivan asks, like she's gonna say no or something. But it's a surprise! Talia and Lydia crashing the same party!

Lydia seems nervous, though, maybe she stole too much silverware and she's worried she's going to get put away for a really long time.

"Are you kind of overwhelmed, too?" he asks, since loudly asking her about the ill-gotten goods probably won't ease her nerves.

Then TALIA IS POURING WINE AT HIM AND APPARENTLY HE NEEDS TO CATCH IT WITH HIS FACE

HELP.

He manages to swallow a bit, but tries to grab the bottle from her before the rest of it ends up down his shirt. 

<Pose Tracker> Rikku has posed.

 
BEFORE
 
Rikku has become so accustomed to people not being able to identify she's Al Bhed on sight that she's a little surprised when the dour-faced Monk calls her out. Momentarily flinching, she stands up straighter as Auron defends her. The two mostly didn't get along... but right now she feels grateful to him. "Whatever you think of me - I've decided to be Yuna's Guardian now."
 
Yuna - rather than Yunie. As if allowing a certain amount of formality - even reverence creeps within her tone now that she's not standing beside her. "That's all I want."
 
Auron eventually convinces the man, but the damage is already done isn't it? Something within her relaxes. It was liberating in a way - not having to hide what she is - even though she never really did in the first place.
 Shehe follows Auron behind on the way in - resisting the urge to turn her head around and stick her tongue out at the Monk.
 
Instead her pace creeps closer to Auron as she lightly taps the arm of his coat and mumbles, "Thanks."
 
NOW
 
Rikku has been staying along the fringes of the party. Maybe she doesn't have to hide who she is anymore, but she doesn't want to start something here at Yuna's party.
 
Instead she finds herself trying to look for Tidus. Perhaps thinking of goading him into running off with Yuna one last time.
 
If he did - maybe that'd be the end of it. The Pilgrimage.
 
Whereas if Yuna marries Maester Seymour - nothing changes.
 
She's all smiles as she hears Shelinda gush. All smiles as she serves herself some juice and tucks away a loaf of bread into her pouch.
 
All smiles as she slides up to Lulu and asks, "Sooo - seen Tidus anywhere?" Rikku says casually she takes a sip, while listening to the band play, "I can't find him anywhere. You think maybe he's off somewhere by himself..." And then she lowers her voice as she adds one final word for Lulu's ears only, "... sulking?"
 
Maybe she's adding that to gauge Lulu's mood.
 
Rikku raises her cup at Talia's exuberance from a distance. All smiles tonight.
 
What else could she be?
 

<Pose Tracker> Emeralda Kasim has posed.

Emeralda has not spotted Krelian. It may not be mutual. Emeralda isn't exactly keeping quiet.

"Can you do that?" Emeralda asks Elly. Her brow furrows as if trying to figure out how to change the temperature of ice, but she's not sure how; she is pretty sure she could *make* ice (this isn't a guess because she has done it before) but she's not sure she can make something that is almost, but not quite, frozen.

Emeralda accepts Elly's hand for a moment, wiggling her other hand's fingers at Ida in a wave - but almost as quickly lets go, because she has found something else to look at. Hi, Ashton. DOn't worry - she'll be back for the food in a moment.

"Wow!" she says. "Are those real? How do you get the hat to stay on?"

Emeralda, apparently, either does not see any problems with being rude or has just accepted that people will let her get away with it. 

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

"Yeah, okay, I guess so," Tidus mumbles when it's his turn for this speech from Shelinda, unequal to her enthusiasm.

Shelinda cocks her head, curious and a little bit worried -- she seems to really care about his feelings. "You're not happy?"

"Nah, it's complicated," Tidus sighs, stretching his arms over his head. Then he perks up at a thought, and looks around, sharply: "Say... do you know where Yuna is?"

"I believe that she's gone to the Cloister of Trials with Maester Seymour," Shelinda explains, glancing at the stairs, and filigreed door above them, at the back of the room.

It is barred by a second monk who might as well be the twin of the first, and is the ONLY exception to the good mood in the room. (Although even he is more solemn in his duty, than grumpy and judgemental.) He and Kimahri have a brief staring contest, which Kimahri loses(!), though one gets the feeling it's only because he doesn't want to ruin the party. (The Ronso wanders off to check out the food instead, joining Wakka, who did not hesitate for a minute to head in that direction.)

Shelinda smiles even harder, determined not to let anything bring the mood down, not even moody Ronso. "After this, I'm traveling north to tell the people the wonderful news! Please send my best regards to Lady Yuna!" (Apparently she never actually saw her in person, today.) Then, having disentangled herself conversationally from Tidus, she goes to celebrate over by the dinner table.

"Oh my," she remarks, COMPLETELY innocently and straight-faced, as she's surrounded by more-and-less-openly-stealing-gatecrashers, "Otherworlders certainly have a healthy appetite!"

Meanwhile: Tromell, Maester Seymour's... butler? Chief servant? Aide-de-camp? The same old, gnarled Guado who tried to spirit Yuna away from the group, only for her to shake him off in order to stand with her friends, that guy -- he greets passing Drifters with an equally warm smile -- PLUS an incredibly low bow of respect. "Ah, Lady Yuna's guardians, and friends! I haven't yet thanked you for your help earlier. Thanks to you, I was able to bring Lady Yuna here safely. You have my sincerest gratitude."

His smile gentles -- it was always wide, but maybe a little too fierce -- as the toasts start going around the room. He takes a sip after each one, which seems like a recipe for a rapidly inebriated old Guado, until finally his own merriment overflows and he issues one of his own.

"Lord Seymour and Lady Yuna's marriage will help foster goodwill between us and humankind. Lord Jyscal, rest his soul, would be pleased, I'm sure of it!"

He takes another drink, then pats Gon Guado on the arm in a fatherly way, by which he means 'chill, son.'

<Pose Tracker> Lan Lilac has posed.

 
        As usual, Lan has no idea what's going on. Obviously there's a wedding between Loren's boss's boss and a Very Important Yevonite who is absolutely beautiful in that unassuming sort of way. Honestly, Lan was more concerned about other things. Like the fact that Loren is finally losing his mind.

        Still, that's no excuse to not attend a party!

        When the call for a toast goes out, the Baskar lifts her glass and cheers loudly - perhaps too loudly, but she's generally enthusiastic about things anyway. "Hey, isn't it nice?" She gently nudges Loren in the ribs. 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline offers Talia a brief smile and a nod. Ivan and Lydia get a smile, too. And then, Talia grabs Ivan and tries to get him to drink. Talise, who is also here, tries to do the same with food.

Jacqueline bows her head. She's sorry, Ivan. She'll never forget you and your sacrifice.

Her attention drifts over briefly to Lydia, though. That look on her face was unmistakable.

"...Is everything alright...?" Jacqueline asks, in a low whisper of concern.

She looks around, then. There sure are a lot of Yevonite folks here. And if Seymour is here too - gone into the Cloister of Trials with Yuna, if Shelinda is to be believed - it makes her wonder one thing.

"...I wonder what Lunata is doing right now..." She murmurs quietly to herself. 

<Pose Tracker> Gon Guado has posed.

        "Young lady," comes a sharp, disapproving older man's voice - one of the few who does stand taller than Lydia by at least a little as he tries to loom over her left shoulder, "do you use that many utensils to consume a meal from where you're from?" He asks of the blatant thief, but on the plus side he's now standing in the way of the sight of a problematic person giving her worries. "Of all your strange ways and... manners," he totally wants to say something far less kind, "that would be the one I would be less inclined--"
 
HELP
______________Arm Pat______________
 
        Gon quiets as Tromell quiets him. Lydia gets away with stealing silverware scot free!! 

<Pose Tracker> Loren Voss has posed.

        This is when he turns his head just in time to watch someone swipe a wine bottle from Krelian's grasp.

        "..."

        Loren's silence is audible. He then averts his gaze and makes the executive decision to move in the other direction.

        This is when he brushes past Ida.
        And when he overhears her speak to a certain individual. Pair of individuals.

        "Van Houten--"
        He's grit his teeth. As if snared by a sudden impulse, he pushes past Ida and comes, just about, face to face with Elly. "I knew," he says, just about grinding his teeth, "that you'd survived." He grasps his glass in a white-knuckle grip. And his gaze lingers on her for a long, long moment.

        ...Before shifting, by degrees, down at Emeralda.

        The last time he'd seen her, she'd been 'asleep'. And in a thousands-of-years-old ruin. He doesn't say a word, but frankly, his expression says it all for him. What...?

        Now is likely a good time for something to interrupt this moment.

        Which comes in the form of Lan nudging him in the ribs. He just about jumps out of his skin. "--What are you doing?!" 

<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.

For a moment, Ashton startles when Emeralda questions him. Not because he's surprised, but because the last time her saw her Emeralda had been literally stomped into a gooey paste by a panicked crowd and Ashton had spent hours trying to figure out how to tell Fei that his daughter had been stampeded to death.
 
He never actually got around to that before hearing she was not, in fact, a vicsous puddle. And Ashton is happy about that.
 
Her point-blank appearance still makes him jump a little.
 
Creepy and Weepy have no such problems and cheerfully snake down to smile at her. With a lot of teeth. (They don't really have a choice in that to be fair.) At that range the question of the hat is easily resolved: Weepy has a little string strap tying the hat to his head.
 
Clearing his throat, Ashton does try to answer the rest. "They're quite real. Creepy," he notes with a slight motion of his drink to the red, "And Weepy," with a similar motion to the blue. "My, ah. Friends."
 
Creepy rotates around a bit and sort of just -looks- at Ashton for a moment.
 
Ashton looks right back.
 
Weepy doesn't care and rotates his head upside-down while continuing to look at Emeralda. 

<Pose Tracker> Lulu has posed.

Lulu guessed at what Tidus had to learn; in point of fact as Rikku asks, she nods once--and then shakes her head. "He's over there. And no, actually--all things considered, he's handling matters well. ...He's better at this than I would have expected."

Unfortunately for Rikku, that doesn't actually make her mood obvious--because 'contemplative' is fairly normal for her. She pauses, though, and adds--"The rest of us feel the same, Rikku." She refers to what happened outside--without directly invoking its spectre, naturally. "You're one of us, now. ...For better, and for worse."

Though... Here Rikku might finally start to get an idea--Lulu looks into the distance a little, considering the implications of what she's seen, and shakes her head slightly.

Lan's loud cheer draws Lulu's attention long enough that she raises an eyebrow at Loren, the 'scribe.', and his reaction. "Hmm," she remarks. "So it seems he does have some friends." 

<Pose Tracker> Ivan has posed.

No sooner does Ivan escape the bottle than a turkey drumstick is deposited into his mouth by Talise

"Mrph," he replies, with dismay, and tries to chew his way to freedom.

He feels a mysterious chill like someone walking over his grave as Jacqueline Barber mourns his passing, hopefully prematurely. 

<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.

 
"Sure," Elly answers Emeralda. "It would be hard to do it yourself, but you could use a - helper," she doesn't want to say machine here right now "to maintain it. I bet they do something like that in the temple."

Elly then looks at Ida as she is greeted by name, and smiles. "Hi!" she says. "Isn't this, ah, wild?" She smiles at Ashton then, even as Emeralda's hand clasps hers for a moment - and then he moves away. And then she turns her head to see--

L O R E N - V O S S
The Perilous Bachelor

Elly blanches. Her eyes widen. She manages to avoid breaking into tears but her face falls, her cheeks tightening, her lips pursing. She breaks out in cold sweat. Her pulse increases by over thirty beats per minute despite a lack of mobility. She is going to drink if she doesn't have to run.

She blurts to Loren, "You're scaring my daughter," and then reaches over to immediately pick up a unit of food and put it into her mouth so she doesn't have to keep talking. In her case it's a long slice of oven-roasted eggplant layered with oily fish filets and crushed nuts.

"mmp," she says to Lan. (Subtitle: "good evening") 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"Not at all!" Talia tells Ivan as she pours wine into his mouth. She stops after a moment, then she has a long pull from the bottle herself. She lets out a sigh, then looks at Talise, and flashes a bright grin. "Oh, that looks delicious, no?"

She raises her wine bottle at Trommel with a happy motion, and then she looks at Jacqueline. She tilts her head. "Lunata is... your friend, no?" she says. Then, she extends the wine bottle to her.

"Want some? It is old and expensive!" Talia says to Jay.

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

Kids -- yes, there are children present, mostly little nuns-and-monks-in-training, the youngest maybe eight, the eldest maybe fourteen -- are underfoot everywhere. Grabbing treats, trying to sneak wine, bopping to the rare pleasure of music in the Temple. Staring big-eyed at these Drifters -- they LIVE up here, it's pretty isolated, they haven't had a lot of chances to meet people from outside Spira.

"Maester Seymour always smells so nice!" remarks one such tiny nun through an overflowing mouthful of elderflower-stuffed pastry. "Isn't he grand?"

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

Talise waggles the turkey leg for Ivan's benefit. "Feast, feast!" she encourages with an ebullient grin and a gleam in her eyes. "What're receptions for, right?!"

With a broad smile and a laugh, she raises her goblet to Talia. "Your brother's a hungry one! He's sure gnawing through that drumstick!"

When Tromell appears, Talise tilts her head, not recognizing him immediately - largely because of her lack of familiarity with the Yevonite crowd. In truth much of her time on Spira has been spent pursuing Joe Clark and seeking the missing clue to the whereabouts of the Relic of Althena; the war's become a concern for her only in the past couple months.

"Hey, always happy to keep a great lady safe," she says with an easy smile, shifting her plate in her free hand.

Then Talise raises her goblet towards Jay. "JAY! You gotta try the smoked sausage! It's to die for!"

For good measure, Talise attempts to stuff one such sausage in Ivan's mouth. "See, Ivan likes it too!" 

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

        Belize gazes long at Shelinda and Tidus as the two converse. Their attention is stolen, though, when Loren pushes through a part of the crowd, facing a redheaded girl while radiating tension. Belize doesn't know Loren well, but he certainly doesn't look appropriately festive. They start towards him in case a situation needs defusing--but Lan beats them there, and they settle.
        
        They breathe a faint sigh. "Yes, indeed," they remark distractedly to the tiny nun. 

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

"I didn't want to be," Lydia tells Ivan. "But you remember the meeting--" Lydia's hands are shaking and there's a faint silver flush on her face. She grimaces a bit when Talia assures her this won't be the least bit awkward.

And at that point Gon Guado catches Lydia in the act of PETTY THEFT. Lydia jerks a bit in surprise at being called on and she laughs awkwardly and adds, "Oh it's not for eating, friend, just when I get nervous I...get sticky fingers you know. Ha ha ha I'll put them back (THIS IS A LIE), I have never been in a party this big before ha ha...ha..." She tries to crane to look past Gon and fails before adding, "Um. Do you. Uh. Do you know.... hgnghhk..." She shakes her head quickly. "Gahh nevermind!" She says this as if she is frustrated with Gon and she hobbles back to catch up with Ivan and promptly offers him one of the forks she stole. "Here!!" She shouts. "Use this to make eating the food and drink easier!"

She grimaces further as LUNATA is brought up. Why can't she say anything, she wonders, she really wants to.

"Ivan we should probably not be here too long." She murmurs quietly to him. "I've..uh... got a bad feeling. About everything. And stuff."

She gives Ivan an empty wine glass too that she also snuck into her bag. 

<Pose Tracker> Rikku has posed.

 
"Yeah he really is isn't he?" As Rikku stands on her tip toes, trying to flag Tidus down with a gesticulating motion of her hand. She thinks the same. She was just wondering perhaps on some level... would she have Lulu's support if it went that way?
 
It doesn't answer much.
 
What Lulu says though, that starts answering far more. "For better and for worse?" She echoes, and her smile becomes a little lopsided. "You make it sound like a marriage vow."
 
And yet Rikku doesn't sound like she's negative on that point. Anything but. Rikku loves the idea of marriage. She always thought she might marry her first love.
 
However, Lulu might feel the bump of Rikku's shoulder against her arm, just a light touch. And she comments with this serious look in her eyes and that same smile. "I'll stick with you through worse. Promise."
 
Lulu comments on Lan though and she finds herself replying cheerfully. "Well - there's someone for everybody."
 

<Pose Tracker> Emeralda Kasim has posed.

Emeralda had assumed that the dragons, at the time, were costume parts, or possibly magic. (She is half right.) Or that, like her, Ashton could change his shape to an extent. But he brought them to a party!

"Hi, Creepy and Weepy!" Emeralda seems pretty enthused to be introduced to dragons. To be fair, this is something that happens rarely enough to be noteworthy. She is not quite sure how to shake their hands, so she doesn't, but instead waves excitedly. "I didn't think you'd be here and I didn't think you would have extra dragon heads if you did. If they have their own names are they not you? I thought maybe they were part of you!"

But then... "Uh oh. I'll be right back but she needs me!" Emeralda says, and slips away from Ashton. Not far. Only a few steps, back to Elly, because she can tell Something Is Up. She looks from Emeralda to Loren.

She doesn't know him. At all. Though by that expression, he might know her. She also doesn't look especially scared, whatever Elly says, though she seems a little uncertain. "...hi?" 

<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.

        "It is," Ida says. A moment later, realization hits her: Is she the only one who brought the couple a gift? Is that even the custom here in Spira? Elly, however unintentionally, doesn't give Ida time to dwell on it. The sudden change in the young woman's expression and body language practically screams that something is amiss.

        Ida's smile vanishes. She looks at Loren, her expression firm as she tucks her gift back under the crook of an arm. She steps forward, placing a foot between Loren and Elly--almost stepping between them. "Good evening, sir," Ida says. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

        Lan happens. Ida blinks, surprised. She's seen both of them, somewhere. Somewhere even colder than this place. Was it--

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

Tidus watches Kimahri's rather surprising little snit -- maybe not so surprising if he thinks about it -- and then wanders over to Rikku's side. "Lulu's right, ya know," he chimes in. "We're all Guardians together. Don't let old cheeseheads like that get you down."

Wakka, who had entered the Temple only after properly greeting the doorkeeping monk with Yevon's prayer, and had it returned, gives him a smouldering look. Then he goes back to demolishing a sandwich he's constructed out of flatbread, fried fish, and three kinds of fruit. You can take the blitzer out of Besaid, but you can't take Besaid out of the blitzer.

<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.

"They're... kind of a part of m--" Ashton doesn't get terribly far into that statement before Emeralda zips off.
 
Which makes him frown. Moreso once he sees where she's gone off to.
 
Which is why a few moments later Ashton is crossing the room in pursuit of Emeralda - and closing in on Loren and Elly.
 
This is at least going to be entertaining to watch. 

<Pose Tracker> Lan Lilac has posed.

 
        What's she doing, he demands to know. Lan smiles at Loren, a bit puzzled. She was pre-drinking before the engagement party even began so her judgement is probably even more suspect than usual, but she's committed to keeping him mostly out of trouble.

        Mostly.

        She notices Elly's sudden crestfallen face, matches it up with what Loren has had to say... and frowns. "Did you say something mean to her?" she admonishes him, wine sloshing in her cup. And then, ignoring whatever he may have to say in his scant defense, Lan deposits her drink in Loren's hand and...

        ...goes in for an Elly hug that's intended to be comforting, despite the sudden presence of Emeralda and the fact that Lan doesn't remember ever meeting Elly. "Sorry! Whatever he said, he didn't mean it! I mean he probably did but don't be upset, okay? Your hair is so pretty!" 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline nods toward Talia.

"Yes, that's right. Since she's working for the Maester Seymour right now I thought she might be here, but..." She hesitates for a moment. "...Maybe she's in the kitchens. There is a lot of food here..."

Well, if she was, she wasn't going to go bother her - they probably wouldn't let her in, anyway.

Talia offers her a bottle, and Jacqueline smiles slightly.

"I'm not sure... Though, it does look nice... maybe just a bit..." She considers. Talise suggests she try some of the sausage. "...Maybe a little..."

She looks toward Lydia, then, who grimaces, apparently at the mention of Lunata. Jacqueline looks briefly apologetic, having no reason to assume it's the result of anything else. 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"Ah, this makes sense, no?" Talia says. She reaches a hand out -- then she pats Jacqueline on the founder. The wine bottle is held out. "A little bit is fine. And... I will keep an eye out, no? I know she is important to you!"

Then, she beams at Lydia. "Lydia!" Talia says, with a bright smile at her friend. "It is okay, no? It is a party. Here--have some of the communal fantastic wine!"

She shoves the bottle in her direction, too. How many people have drank from this thing, now?

Not enough. She turns to look at Shelinda; she has met her never. She calls out: "Shelinda! Come have a drink from the celebratory communal wine, no? It is--" She pauses, then shakes the wine bottle. "It is emptier than I thought it was!"

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

Talise holds her plate out to Jacqueline. There's enough food on it to feed the entire Fox Company, even accounting for Talise and Tethelle having big appetites. "Here! Have your pick! There's more in the buffet line."

The mention of Lunata evokes a quick blink from her. Draining what's left of the wine in her goblet, she perches it on her plate so she can free a hand to plant on her hip. "I didn't realize Lunata had come to work for the Church of Yevon. Wow, am I out of touch. Althe--"

Talise stops herself before saying 'Althena's hat.' "...na's Guard sure are jerks," she finishes the sentence lamely. 

<Pose Tracker> Ivan has posed.

Ivan is having a really strange evening. He removes the turkey leg from his mouth because otherwise he's going to be eating it all night and maybe not breathing, and sets it on a plate where he plans to abandon it, and then he turns back and Talise immediately feeds him a sausage.

This time his "mrph!!" is a little angrier. And then Lydia fills his hands with silverware and a wineglass while talking about bad feelings and there's nothing to do but chew urgently so he can actually respond to her at some point.

He swallows and then gasps for air.

"I'm not really against leaving, this is exhausting, but I'm not sure if there's going to be a post-party part two to the job I'm on..." 

<Pose Tracker> Violet Salazar has posed.

As she helps herself to a second plate of hors d'oeuvres -- hey, she doesn't know when, or even IF, she'll eat again -- Violet notices her fellow Beastwoman stealing some silverware. "I enjoyed that speech of yours," she whispers, winking conspiratorially. She'll know the one Violet means. "I'm Violet," she introduces. "Retired midwife." There must be more to the story, though, since Violet has been spotted using an ARM against Yevon's enemies. "Try the wine; it's quite tasty." She refills her goblet as she says this. Violet, it seems, is a bit tipsy. Normally she's not this outgoing. If only there were chairs set up near a roaring fire, she'd be parked in one of them for hours and hours. Those fires feel pretty good in a frozen area like this! 

<Pose Tracker> Lulu has posed.

Lulu looks over some of the kids running around; naturally she remembers what that's like. The tiny nun speaking of Seymour though...

"This is Maester Seymour's Temple posting," Lulu remarks to Rikku and anyone else who happens to hear her nearby. He's the high priest here."

But she answers Rikku in their conversation, "Given his claims about his family," Lulu remarks, "It would make sense, if it's true, that he's used to thinking about appearances. ...Or it might be basic sense."

A glance to Rikku, as she quips back. "Do I?" she asks, and looks towards the statues, as she listens. "I suppose so. ...There are points in common..."

She pauses, then. Rikku bumps her shoulder. Lulu looks to her--and nods, once, watching her silently for a few moments. "...With me, hm?" She replies, but there's something softer in the answer. Before she dwells on thinking of her answer, however...

"Well, then. We..." She pauses. She looks to Wakka, then. "...Mm," she answers, otherwise silent for a moment. 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

It is a little bit later, before someone clears their throat -- having approached Lulu, Rikku, and Wakka silently. Krelian stands there, the pale blonde-haired man giving them all an even smile as he looks at them. "I'm glad you came," he says. "And... I apologize for the display of the monks, earlier. It is..."

He looks around, eyes briefly on a closed door in the corner. Then, he looks back at Lulu, then Rikku. Krelian smiles.

"...Quite the evening, isn't it?"

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

Reaching into her plate, Talise pulls out what looks like a huge slice of orange melon. She extends it to Ivan.

"The party is right here," she declares with a bat of lashes. "In your mouth. And it's this melon. It's delicious and you should have some."

She does not stuff it in his mouth this time. She just kind of offers it up.

"You in a happier place now?" she asks a bit more seriously, though not without a mild smile. "I mean as opposed to the last time I saw you. You look like you've perked up a bit." 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

"Thanks." Jacqueline replies with a grateful nod toward Talia, accepting just a little of the wine - in a small glass. And Talise holds out a plate, from which Jacqueline takes a single sausage.

"It was...pretty abrupt for me too, hahah..." Jacqueline admits. "She thought they might be able to help her with, ah...a personal matter."

She massages the back of her neck. It felt awkward to dance around the real reason, but that was Lunata's to speak about.

Her ears perk up a little as she hears Lulu talking - not right next to them, but closer enough for her to overhear - mentioning that this is Seymour's Temple posting.

That...made a lot of sense.

"...Huh, I didn't know that..." She murmurs, mostly to herself. 

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

The tiny nun beams up at Belize with the gaping wonder of a small child meeting a big celebrity. "Wow, you're in his retinue, right? Right? And YOU think he smells good TOO!"

Shelinda gives Talia a concerned look. "Maybe... you should slow down a little bit?"

Trommel pats Gon Guado again, harder. "This is a rare and joyous event. We must make allowances..." He bends a long ear in Krelian's direction, and nods at that too. "With rank set aside, the devout monk is just another man."

<Pose Tracker> Loren Voss has posed.

        The tension here -- as Loren and Elly lock eyes, as Elly reacts in the only way she really can -- is thick enough to cut with the proverbial knife.

It's just a good thing that, as Lulu notes, Loren ('Thomas') didn't come here alone.
        He has at least one friend. Sort of.
        (Yes.)
        And fortunately for everyone else involved, she's the sort of friend who knows precisely what he's like. He's left gaping -- not just at Emeralda's presence, or Elly referring to her as her 'daughter' -- but at Lan's immediate assumption that he said something mean. "I--I didn't!" he protests, staring at her now.
        (Frankly his argument that he didn't say something mean is arguable at best.)
        And then down at the wine glass he's become custodian thereof. Now both hands are occupied...

        And then back over at Elly, who is receiving an apology hug from Lan.

        And he grinds his teeth. Why is it that everyone-- everyone --takes her side?

        But he'll just have to seethe in silence because he's just become aware of the presence, nearby, of a certain blond man. 

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

"Talia..." Lydia says fairly desperately honestly, eyes widening again briefly as she sees LAN what the fuck is LAN doing here?? She didn't even know she was on Spira!

She is about to hand off more stuff to Ivan when he agrees that leaving is okay. "A job? You're here for work? What's your job?"

She takes the bottle from Talia and starts drinking from it directly. Glug glug glug glug.

She eventually stops drinking but does not hand the bottle of wine back as her gaze finally settles on the group of guardians and fuck he's still here.

Lydia quickly ducks behind Ivan but the fact of the matter is is that she's pretty tall so it doesn't actually work.

"Fuckfuckfuckfuck." She says, barely refraining from going detroit metal city.

Her gaze shifts towards Shelinda.

"...fudge...fudge...fudge...?"

She sweats little beads of silver profusely. 

<Pose Tracker> Gon Guado has posed.

        Lydia freaks out and gives Gon back some of the stolen goods. These utensils are much too small for his hands and the fumbling in which follows as she returns them is comical. He is calmed further by Tromell's spoken concessions. "Yes... it is as you say."
        He seems defeated, for however much the Guado ever allow that to show. This is not a facial expression uncommon for Gon, these days, as he separates from Tromell and goes within the proximity of several Otherworlders, in conversational range - anyone interested can hear what comes next.
        "Though we have not seen... eye to eye, I feel it important you understand the importance of what you have the honor to witness today so that we will have no further misunderstandings." By which Gon probably means he'll have no further misunderstandings, but the grumpy almost-fifty Guado continues nonetheless as he gestures over to a less populated, quieter part of the room - somehow. When satisfied, he begins.
        "I have had the honor of bearing witness to Maester Seymour's course through life until now. Do not mistake what I am about to tell you as being that of a loose-lipped drunkard," Gon shoots a gaze over at a hiccuping guard.
        "After High Summoner Braska vanquished Sin, Maester Mika ordained Lord Jyascal a maester of Yevon. His many achievements include our people's - the Guado's - adoption to the teachings of Yevon. Maester Seymour was but a young one then... but he assisted Lord Jyascal dutifully and faithfully."
        Gon hesitates only a moment before he speaks of the next part. "Maester Seymour has both Guado and human blood within his veins." A shock, but... aren't his hands smaller than that of the other Guado? "This has presented him no shortage of grief in his younger years... but it served to see him become the great leader we have today, who even now has brought together Guado and humans in friendship."
        "Even before then, Maester Seymour proved a distinguished monk. If I were to recite his accomplishments in full... well. He ascended the ranks for a reason, by his own merits. A truly remarkable one, Maester Seymour... never rode on Lord Jyscal's coattails."
        "Maester Seymour is matchless among the Summoners of Yevon for his strength... and yet, he elected to become a maester of Yevon instead of undertaking the pilgrimage to battle Sin. Perhaps there is belief that there's more to one's duty than simply destroying Sin... but, nonetheless."
        "Knowing what I have said thus," Gon remarks as he looks to the others gathered, "I bid regardless of your motives and means going forward, to comprehend what this means for us. For all of Spira." 

<Pose Tracker> Ivan has posed.

Talise offers Ivan a melon. He is still recovering from the things she 'offered' before that, and it hasn't occured to him that he can put the things Lydia handed to him down in order to take something new, so he just looks at the melon suspiciously from a safe distance.

She also asks him whether he's in a better mood, and he tries to think of what weird thing he must have done in front of her to make her think he was all gloomy.

"I was normal last time we met..." Ivan protests. "But... yes, I am doing better, probably."

Lydia asks him about the job he's here on. "I was protecting the pilgramage, but then the pilgramage came to a party..." such betrayal.

Lydia then drinks kind of a lot and hides behind him from someone. He looks around to try to see who she might be hiding from.

"Are you okay?" he whispers to her. "Do I need to fight anybody?"

Ivan don't fight someone at the party. 

<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.

 
Emeralda comes closer. Elly is about to say something when Lan comes in for a hug - which she returns, after a moment, with an eggplant-seasoned 'mmhf!' followed by a swallow, a smile, and a disengagement.

Elly still seems nervous. Guilty, perhaps. Maybe she did something to Loren.

"Thank you," she tells Lan, "but... It's alright." To Emeralda, she says, "This is an old school friend of mine, but we don't keep in close touch, now."

"... I'm just glad to see he's alright," Elly then tells Ida, and perhaps that is the worst thing of all. (Back to Emeralda: "What do you think of Ashton's dragons?") 

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

Talise scratches the back of her neck, smiling crookedly back at Jay. "Huh, no kidding? Well, hopefully it works out for her. Lunie's a sweetie and she deserves all the best. I gather stuff had been rough for her since she found that robot, but hey... I'm sure she'll find the way."

She too is able to catch bits and pieces of what Lulu's saying. With a small shiver, she hunkers into her coat unconsciously, then forces herself to relax.

Talise remembers seeing Seymour's Aeon up close. It was a less than pleasant experience.

She turns her gaze to Ivan again and offers up a mellow smile, reaching out to give him a small pat on the shoulder. "Keep it up, alright? You've got some good people in your life." Here her eyes turn to Lydia, and she nods. "Including Lydie."

It's a step: Talise was pretty sure Lydia disliked her, until recently. But the girl's hiding, and it leaves her blinking once. "...Huh...."

Gon starts to speak up, and Talise tunes in to listen, canting her head to one side. She blinks a time or two, then raises her eyebrows in a shallow arch before smiling quietly. "Sounds like quite a guy."

Creepy Aeon or not. 

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

        Belizes pauses at the tiny nun's beaming and comment, realizing that they'd zoned out a bit. Still, the tiny one's adoration is adorable, and it can't help but bring a smile to their face. "I am indeed," they reply, stooping down to look them in the face. As for the two agreeing on Seymour's pleasant smell, they nod gravely, but still smile. "Of course. That is because Maester Seymour is a gentleman who knows how to take care of himself and his body. A pleasant smell is but a part of that, is it not?"
        
        Nearby, Gon launches into a speech about Maester Seymour's accomplishments and his role in the Church of Yevon. Belize rises and claps at the end of it, nodding in approval. Most people are probably here because of Yuna, but it's important that they understand how important Seymour is as well. 

<Pose Tracker> Rikku has posed.

 
"Mmm-hmm!" Rikku bobs her head back at Lulu, letting her work that out on her own. "So if you ever need someone... well... there's no need to hesitate. Promise."
 
Rikku has always seen Lulu as something of a role model since they met. And she's certain that Lulu is mature enough to work through her feelings on her own.
 
Yet... knowing that Lulu was there for Yuna all those years when she wasn't. Rikku wants to become someone that Lulu can rely on - confide in.
 
As Tidus wanders over Rikku is a little surprised by his first words being one of solidarity. But her smile is completely genuine, "Aw - thanks. As if a guy like that could-!" Rikku's posture becomes more relaxed, trying not to pay attention as Wakka breezes on by. She figures that's coming, but there's no need for her to speed things up, "You're a real sweet guy you know that right?"
 
There's a sort of working up quality in her tone, almost like she's trying to find an in... to what she really wants to talk to him about.
 
And after a small hesitation, she leans up and whispers in conspiracy, "You know even though it's her engagement party... it's not too late. I don't know what weddings are like in Zanarkand - but here nothing is set in stone until..."
 
She makes this smile, and a sort of shrug, as if allowing him to finish that sentence - that thought on his own.
 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

"I agree..." Jacqueline replies with a fond smile, as Talise calls Lunata a sweetie and says she deserves all the best. "And, I hope so too. I want to believe everything will turn out okay for her."

She just wishes she could do more to help.

Jacqueline pauses, then, as she hears Gon start to speak, and turns toward him. 'Haven't seen eye to eye' is correct - she still remembers her encounter with him. But even so, she listens intently to what he has to say - and she looks a little surprised at the end of it.

"...I didn't know any of that..." She remarks, surprised. "It sounds like he's been through much difficulty..."

Her eyes briefly stray toward the direction of a clap of approval, taking note of Belize. She hadn't spotted them before. She offers them a slight smile of greeting. 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

Is Talia disappointed, perhaps, that Jay Barber pours her wine into a glass instead of drinking right out of the bottle? Maybe a little. But, she hesitates a bit at the way she says 'a personal matter' and puts a hand on her neck. Talia hesitates -- and maybe that and Shelinda's admonishment -- gets her to lower the emptied bottle.

Then she nods her head. "I understand, no? People have their secrets. But... it sounds like it is a personal matter for you, too, no? Maybe, ah--" She looks to the side, then plucks a biscuit from a server. She hands to her. "Good food will help?"

She flashes a smile. Then, she glances sideways at Lydia. Her eyes widen a moment. "Lydia?" She looks at Ivan, as if to ask what this is about. However, Gon's speech interrupts her thought. She applauds, politely at the end of it.

Then scoops a biscuit of her own to chomp into.

MEANWHILE:

Krelian smiles, and also applauds after Gon's speech. "Well spoken, Sir Gon. Maester Seymour is... truly... unique."

<Pose Tracker> Lulu has posed.

"You really have become one of us quickly," Lulu reflects on Rikku and her statement, and it's a bit of wonderment at that--she is not, precisely, known for making friends quickly. As a rule.

Rikku is working up--Lulu can catch that, naturally. And just what kind of conspiracy she's working on... Lulu lifts an eyebrow. "...Rikku," she begins, a note of reproach in her tone.

But soon enough, Lulu recognizes Seymour's assistant--as the man she didn't really recognize from elsewhere. She inclines her head to greet him, and notes the apology. ...Frankly she considers that Rikku's matter, and leaves it to her.

"It is," Lulu agrees. "Though of course we'd be here; as Guardians, we certainly weren't going to leave Yuna to come to the Temple alone, regardless of what additional matters are at hand."

...She doesn't comment directly, on Gon's story. Mostly because much of this she knew--but also because she's more interested in seeing the room's reaction to it. 

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

The tiny nun bounces up and down happily at Belize's comment, and joins them in applauding Gon's speech, as does Shelinda -- though not before giving Talia an approving look, then leaning down to drop, gently, into Lydia's ear: "That was a good correction! This is a place of worship, after all." Apparently her efforts do not go unnoticed.

Tidus shuffles his feet uncomfortably, in Rikku's general direction. "Uh, maybe we shouldn't be talking about this? Especially here, and, uh, now?"

O'aka is also here, and waving a wine glass almost as high in the air as his bag full of wares. "Hurray for Maester Seymour's engagement! We've got celebratory prices today!"

Then he taps the side of his nose with the side of his glass. "Oh, I hear Lady Yuna is still going to continue her journey, ah? I wonder if that means she and Maester Seymour will fight Sin together? Just like Lady Yunalesca and Lord Zaon!"

He's at barker pitch -- drunken barker -- which makes his rumormongering both humorous and awkward, given that her Guardians are in earshot.

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

"I feel like I haven't kept up with the Spiran people nearly enough," Talise admits to Jay as she scratches her cheek. "Spira's always been a legend to the rest of Lunar, and here I feel like I've been so consumed chasing my parents' killer that I've missed out on some great stories. Maybe my barding instinct's gone soft over the years. Or maybe I'm just cranky about the Guard business."

Talise shrugs, then sets aside her plate and pours herself a bit more wine.

O'aka raises a wine glass, and Talise does too, grinning and draping her free arm around Jay. "Yeah! To Maester Seymour and his incredible journey!"

She stage-whispers, "Toast, Jay, toast!" 

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

"Yeah, sure, I'm happy for them," Lydia says. "I mean I didn't know you guys had racism problems too sorry about that. If I was better right now I'd probably be real empathetic but I'm trying not to, uh, hahaha... For the actual wedding you should take it to Besaid she's from there yeah? Oh I guess maybe it's too small for history's greatest wedding and stuff. Honestly I'm kind of hoping to be off world by that point, though? Uh, but, like, I'm sure you're kinda sick of all of us fumbling around knocking stuff over too so hey win win right?"

Talise calls her a good person. "Er I am?" She asks. "Oh, cool. I didn't uh know that?"

She lowers her voice to Ivan, "What no don't fight him." Pause. "Er, the guy I mentioned. He's here, okay? I am not okay. But nhh...protecting the pilgrimage..."

She peers back over to Tidus and Rikku and friends. In truth she could care less about the wedding but if it's an important occassion for peace then great or stronger relations between peoples? Great. Yuna seems nice enough but it's not like they're pals or anything. She can't really approach while Krelian is there, though, and the idea of directly confronting him is just not going to happen. And similarly, she feels being direct about it is also not going to happen.

She makes a wordless whine at O'aka. That should be her scamming this party! This is so unfair.

"Is Yunalesca her grandmom or something or is that just a weird coincidence?" She mutters before looking to Ivan. "But maybe...something...sleight of handy...?" She murmurs in consideration. 

<Pose Tracker> Emeralda Kasim has posed.

Emeralda is...

...let's say 'not good' at picking up the vibe. She can tell something is up between Elly and Loren but she can't make heads or tails of it, and it doesn't even occur to her that she should be worrying much about it. So she takes Elly at her word.

"Well, then it is good that you found him again! You can say hello while you're here," Emeralda says, with a slight nod to herself for figuring it out. Then she takes a step toward the food to stand on tiptoes and see what there is. She gives Lan a cheerful smile while she's up.

"Oh, this is Ashton," she adds, having spotted him coming after her. "He has dragons! They're real dragons I guess and not something he made himself. I kind of want dragon heads but I'm not sure how to do them right." She spends a moment thinking about it, but - fortunately! - decides not to try right now. 

<Pose Tracker> Lan Lilac has posed.

 
        Lan and Elly hug it out, with the blonder of the two giving Elly an encouraging smile as the hug ends. Satisfied that she's made everlasting peace between the two Solarians - or at least unruffled a few feathers perhaps - she recovers her cup from Loren. o/' Emeralda gets a cheerful smile in return, and a friendly nod. See, they can all just be friends! Or at least not start fights at parties, which is an acceptable substitute for friendship in Lan's book.

        "Is this about," she begins to ask Loren before wising up just in time to not ask him Secret Questions at a highly-attended party. "I mean, have you gotten enough to eat?" 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

"Sometimes that happens." Jacqueline. She offers Talise a smile...which becomes a little more sympathetic as Talise explains the circumstances. "...Well, in that case, I think it's understandable. A lot has happened, it seems..."

At this point, Jacqueline hears the familiar voice of O'aka. Her eyes immediately lock onto him. She doesn't say anything, doesn't call him out, but if she hears him trying to rip anyone off, she's going to be right there.

Right...there.

Watch yourself, O'aka.

You know what you did.

His mention of Yunalesca and Zaon is a curious one to her, though - that's a piece of Spiran Lore she isn't quite as familiar with, and it does take her back a bit, causing some of her ire to cool.

Talise urges her to join in on the toast and Jacqueline, feeling just a little awkward, raises her glass, so as not to stand out.

"Ah...to Maester Seymour, then..." She says. 

<Pose Tracker> Loren Voss has posed.

        'I'm just glad he's alright', Elly says.

        Loren's thoughts are less charitable. Of course you do. You're always-- always like that, always acting so holier-than-thou. He of course does not voice them. But if looks could kill, there is a proverbial dagger in the young scribe's gaze as he stares at her at her alone, her presence seemingly seizing his entire attention.

        Fortunately, a distraction, of a sort, presents itself.

        Gon is close enough that Loren can overhear what he has to say about the Maester.
        The same that he has been attending to, at least in a once-removed sort of proximity. Maester Seymour...
        The expression on the 'junior scribe's' face might be best read as throughtfully stony. He is, after all, thinking about the Maester. Thinking about the ways he's seen the Maester behave.
        He's still young. He's not as close to Maester Seymour as some others.
        But he's read something of the Maester's nature because he...

        He knows that kind of hatred.

        And Loren just watches on and says nothing. He just claps, because it's expected.

        This is when Lan sort of sidles up to him and asks him if he's gotten enough to eat.

        He pauses to think about this.

        The answer, perhaps predictably, is: "...No."

        Perhaps he should remedy that. 

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

        As they clap, Belize catches Jay's eye before Jay gives them a smile. They return the smile in kind and nod in greeting. Their gaze tracks to Krelian next, and they wonder briefly at that pause of his. They don't have long to wonder, though, because a toast is going up. They raise their glass and give Jay another nod, this time one of approval.
        
        O'aka is there too. Belize doesn't hold nearly as much of a grudge as some, though, so they suffer him to live. This *is* a party, after all. It takes ever so long to get blood out of the drapes. Right, Ivan?
        
        (Whom, incidentally, they continue to diplomatically ignore as they take a long sip of wine.) 

<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.

 
Gon Guado comes and speaks, and Elly gives him heed. He explains things. Details which were not apparent. The Guado joined Yevon more recently than Elly had thought; Seymour had learned to summon, which latter course was clear to Elly, but...

Her lips purse. She glances towards the Guardians of Yuna for a moment. This must be complex for them, she thinks. For some reason her gaze rests on Tidus for a moment but--

Someone's calling for a toast.

That maternal instinct kicks in. "Oh, this is fun," she tells Emeralda. "Hold on a moment - ah!" Someone is passing round glasses on a tray. Elly takes two, contemplates their contents; downs most of one, and empties the remainder of the other into the original glass. Thus it is that she presents to Emeralda a wine glass with maybe an ounce and a half of actual hooch in it.

"Everyone's going to raise these, to salute Yuna and Maester Seymour. You'll see when everyone does it-- usually there's a little bit of a speech. It will mean a lot to them, and you may see it at other parties, too."

Elly then discreetly murders much of what's in her own glass, so there is not a substantial visible disparity between hers and Emeralda's. She doesn't know why she does it. Probably emotional strain. 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"Hmm. Yes," Krelian agrees politely with Lulu. "I admire you Guardians. Your loyalty to your Summoner -- despite the troubles, the complexities... it is remarkable. It is hard to not appreciate this. Though... given her fate... mm. I shouldn't overspeak."

He smiles apologetically, then.

MEANWHILE:

Talia looks at O'aka. Isn't he the local merchant, that Jacqueline has a rivalry with? Or, at least, beef? As much as Jay really does 'beef?' Her eyes narrow -- and then she turns. She looks at Jacqueline, and she raises her glass...

...but Talia puts hers aside to put both hands on Jay's shoulders. She leans in close to her friend.

"Jay," she says. "I know it is a happy occasion. But... I see the fire in your eyes, no? I see what you want. Search your heart, Jay--and take grip of destiny!"

She turns, pointing at O'aka. "Become justice."

<Pose Tracker> Ivan has posed.

Ivan does not know what to think about the speech about how great Seymour Guado is. He didn't get a very great first impression of the guy that time he was trying to kill him, but Ivan was the one who started that, so who knows. Relatedly, he hopes nobody recognizes him as the guy who tried to kill him... oh, there's Belize pretending not to notice him. Thanks, Belize! Not that Ivan knows their name actually.

Talise gives him a shoulder pat and tells him to keep up the good work regarding life improvements, and he makes a disgruntled sound. "How weird was I when we met...??"

Talia seems to shoot a question his way about what's going on with Lydia, and he shrugs slightly and shakes his head.

Lydia informs him that The Guy is here.

Ivan blinks and looks around, as if he could find someone matching the aura of Lydia's reaction.

"If I can find him, can you do something to tell me if I got it right...? He starts describing random people in the crowd to her in case it works. Is he that guy? How about that other guy?

"Oh, what's that about sleight of hand?" 

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

"You definitely are, Lydia!" Talise calls out, wagging her goblet towards Lydia with a toothy grin. "You've got a huge heart in you! I admire that a lot, you know!"

Lydia gained one (1) fan, and her name is Talise.

Bumping Jay with her elbow, Talise laughs a cheery laugh. "Hey, when better than a party but to drink to a good man?" she exclaims. "Parties! I've missed these! You know we used to have 'em a lot until Althena came back and turned out to be a total buzzkill all along."

To Ivan, she winks once. "I don't know if I'd call you weird? But you were on edge a bit. Let me put it that way." 

<Pose Tracker> Violet Salazar has posed.

Violet's ears flick as she overhears that Maester Seymour is part human...like her own daughter. Violet had had a long and happy marriage with a human, and knows first-hand that sometimes these things can work out. Though, she thought the Guado were part...plant? It would've been rude to ask them that, so she hasn't. Someone proposes a toast. She didn't know they had that custom on Spira. Maybe it's one of her fellow Drifters. "Huzzah!" she calls, raising her glass, and joining in the applause that follows. She was getting plenty of free food and drink; the least she could do was be polite. She peers around the room again, hoping to congratulate the happy couple in person, but she doesn't catch sight of them. That's weird, an engagement party in absentia! Maybe that was another odd Spiran practice... 

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

Shelinda is conveniently next to Lydia when she asks the question, and is always glad to provide education about the Yevonite faith.

"LADY Yunalesca," small emphasis on the title, but perfectly friendly about it, "Was the first High Summoner, the first person to defeat Sin. Her statue is in every Temple, along with that of her Guardian, Lord Zaon."

She gestures: there they are!

"Lady Yuna was surely named after Lady Yunalesca by her father, High Summoner Braska," she adds. "He must be so proud of her choice to follow in his footsteps... and hers."

O'aka keeps lifting his glass to every toast. He gives Jacqueline a bawdy wink when she looks at him -- then Talia, when she openly points him out.

Trommel seems to be slowing down on the drinking a little bit. The toasts make him happy, though, especially as they're celebrating Lord Seymour more and more often. He gives Gon Guado YET ANOTHER PAT. That's more physical contact than they've had in their entire lives. "That was well said. Very well said, indeed. If the Maester were here... he would ask why he had to endure such praise."

He smiles again.

<Pose Tracker> Gon Guado has posed.

        Gon may reflect one day that he thinks this the first time the Otherworlders have shown him anything he might consider at least a modicum of respect and dignity by intent. (Never mind that he has scarce ever given them any.)
        "Hic... I was gonna say that," a stationed guard complains, "awww. Maybe I'll remember a good one and you'll all ask me then...!"
        Lydia continues to run her mouth, and Gon is about ready to shoot another glare but he has decided that maybe he has had enough of Tromell's arm pats for the day.
        "Yes, Seymour is by any measure, 'quite a guy,'" he responds to Talise. He tries to turn to look towards Krelian, who for the entire time they've been working for Seymour has been something of a ghost to him. He's supposedly there, but he never gets a clear look at--
        O'aka steps in the way. Gon is not getting a clear look at Krelian today, as they all go into a toast. Yes, yes, that reminds him, Gon thinks, I have not had the grace to have a drink.
        Gon goes to get a drink. He finds there are a sudden shortage of wine glasses and also wine.
        "Where is the wine," Gon asks.
 
- MOMENTS LATER -
 
        Lanval is being escored out. Lanval also has an eel clenched in his mouth. (They have elected to let him keep the eel.)
        (because it's in his mouth)
        (that's kind of a 'dibs' thing no matter where you are) 

<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.

        "Ah," Ida says. She remembers, now--and Elly all but confirms it. "Sometimes, we must take what comfort we can, where we can." Then Gon steps forward, the air about him hinting at an announcement or speech. Ida plucks a glass of sparkling water off the refreshments table, and listens. She is the very image of intrigued attentiveness, and--perhaps tellingly--there is sympathy in her eyes as Gon describes what Seymour went through. When the priest is finished, Ida sets both glass and gift on a table, and applauds. "Well spoken." She picks up the wrapped package, steps forwards, and bows ever-so-slightly as she presents it to Gon. "I'm afraid I don't know the engagement custons of this land, but here. Can you see this to the couple, good sir?"

        Once the gift is taken care of, one way or another, Ida makes her way back to the refreshments table. Someone--that thieving merchant--is calling for a toast, and she seems to have taken this as a challenge. She is not about to let that shifty good-for-nothing have the last word. She finishes off her water, plucks a wineglass off the refreshments table, and taps it with a fork. A clear, bell-like tone echoes throughout the hall.

        ""To Lady Yuna and Maester Seymour, may the garden of their love grow beautiful and bounteous."_] If it's a genuinely loving engagement, then it's a suitable (if sappy) sentiment. If it's loveless, well, this would hardly be the first time Ida shared happy sentiments on behalf of an arranged marriage destined for hate and failure. She's an upper-class Galadian.

<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.

        "Ah," Ida says. She remembers, now--and Elly all but confirms it. "Sometimes, we must take what comfort we can, where we can." Then Gon steps forward, the air about him hinting at an announcement or speech. Ida plucks a glass of sparkling water off the refreshments table, and listens. She is the very image of intrigued attentiveness, and--perhaps tellingly--there is sympathy in her eyes as Gon describes what Seymour went through. When the priest is finished, Ida sets both glass and gift on a table, and applauds. "Well spoken." She picks up the wrapped package, steps forwards, and bows ever-so-slightly as she presents it to Gon. "I'm afraid I don't know the engagement custons of this land, but here. Can you see this to the couple, good sir?"

        Once the gift is taken care of, one way or another, Ida makes her way back to the refreshments table. Someone--that thieving merchant--is calling for a toast, and she seems to have taken this as a challenge. She is not about to let that shifty good-for-nothing have the last word. She finishes off her water, plucks a wineglass off the refreshments table, and taps it with a fork. A clear, bell-like tone echoes throughout the hall.

        ""To Lady Yuna and Maester Seymour, may the garden of their love grow beautiful and bounteous." If it's a genuinely loving engagement, then it's a suitable (if sappy) sentiment. If it's loveless, well, this would hardly be the first time Ida shared happy sentiments on behalf of an arranged marriage destined for hate and failure. She's an upper-class Galadian.

<Pose Tracker> Rikku has posed.

 
"It's what I want to be." She answered Lulu.
 
Rikku sweatdrops at both Lulu's note of reproach and Tidus' discomfort. "Whoops - guess I'm only good at timing when it comes to..." There's something of a sigh, as her voice lowers so as not to scandalize the party with talk of Machina, "...grenades."
 
O'aka though. O'aka has to mention Yunalesca and Lord Zaon. And suddenly Rikku finds herself making one long inhalation through her nostrils. Closing her eyes as she listens to Lulu talk to Seymour's Assistant, and Seymour's Assistant...
 
        'fate'
 
"Don't say that."
 
She modulates her tone so it's not too loud. And yet. It's said in a tone that was sharper than she intended.
 
He'd already apologized in a way after all - by saying he overspoke.
 
Rikku puts a hand up to her face, and suddenly she can't smile.
 
"I think I need to get some air."
 
As the toasts continue to sound out, she ducks her head and starts trying to remove herself from the center of the party.
 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

"I suppose so..." Jacqueline admits to Talise, then pauses as she mention how they used to have more until Althena came back. "...I hope you'll be able to have more of them someday."

And Belize gives Jacqueline...a nod of approval...! She smiles slightly. They must look up to Seymour - though she doesn't know even the half of it.

She's about to say something...but then, she feels a pair of hands on her shoulders. She glances toward the side, toward Talia.

Talia sees the fire in her eyes. She urges her to search her heart, to take grip of her destiny.

"...I-I don't know if I'm nearly drunk enough to become justice in the middle of a crowded room..." Jacqueline admits with a nervous laugh.

...And then, O'aka winks at her.

Jacqueline frowns, deeply.

"...But he is on a very thin rope!" She decides.

At this point, a ringing...well, rings out, thanks to Ida - who issues a toast. Jacqueline raises her glass again, just in case. 

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

Talise clicks her tongue and flicks two fingers towards Gon in acknowledgment.

But something else catches her attention. With a curious blink, Talise maneuvers to stand not far from Shelinda, gazing up at the pair of statues. Her hand curls around her goblet, her lips curving into a smile.

"That sounds like an incredible story," she murmurs as she looks to Shelinda now. "I imagine there are stories and songs about Lady Yunalesca's life. I wonder if it's possible that I'd be able to sit and hear some of them while we're here."

The tall woman waves her free hand. "I'm a bard by trade," she explains. "Where I'm from, Spira's always been a place of myth. I'd love to learn the stories of how Sin was defeated and how the Church came to be. It sounds like a great tale!"

When Ida clinks her glass, Talise hoists her goblet again. "To them!" she exclaims before taking a long drink. 

<Pose Tracker> Emeralda Kasim has posed.

It is unclear if Emeralda is, in fact, affected by alcohol at all. It's hard to imagine a nanite assembly being affected; it's pretty easy to imagine a ten-year-old getting into the fancy toasting wine.

On the other hand, Elly has solved that problem, even if Emeralda looks disappointed she's not getting a full glass. She juggles what she picked up off the table (some kind of stuffed mushroom) onto a plate, and then ends up with a glass in one hand and a plate in the other.

And then Ida calls for a toast.

"Hurray!" Emeralda raises her glass and waves it around; fortunately, it is empty enough to not spill, thanks to Elly. *Then* she drinks it.

Judging by the expression she makes afterwards, she isn't sure she likes it. 

<Pose Tracker> Lan Lilac has posed.

 
        "Then let's get something to eat-- oop," Lan shushes herself when the toasts begin to pour forth. Ah, finally, she thinks. The important part of an engagement party! If you don't wish the couple enough happiness, bad things might happen... She raises her glass again, despite the steadily-lowering amount of wine in it.

        She follows along after Loren because Lan doesn't really know anything better to do - and besides, it's better to keep an eye on him. "Are there any of those shrimp puff things left?" she wonders aloud. 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"Oh, it is okay," Talia says, with a smile. She glances sideways at Jacqueline -- then elbows her in a friendly sort of way. "If you want to, though, you know I will back you up!" But--hm--

Maybe they should do... a drinking trip?

The idea begins to churn inside of Talia's mind, and then she looks back at Ida. She raises up a glass she plucked off a tray, and then beams, looking sideways at Talise.

"They know how to party, no? The Spirans," she says.

<Pose Tracker> Loren Voss has posed.

        Loren, meanwhile, is somewhat slower on the draw as far as toasts go. But he still does it, if moments after Lan does. ...Is that even alcohol in his glass? It looks a lot like water.

        Perhaps to her credit, here she's able to steer him away from potential sources of trouble (even if doing anything here is impossible due to the sheer number of people) and to one of the clearer stretches of food table.

        "Shrimp puff? Uh..." He hesitates, distracted, perhaps, by the sheer amount of food available. "I... think those are them?" He reaches for them, temporarily abandoning his glass on the table.

        Come to think of it, those little cakes are pretty nice, too. He snags a few of those, too. He's pretty hungry. 

<Pose Tracker> Gon Guado has posed.

        Through cruel fate, Gon has managed to be the only one present unable to secure anything to do any sort of proper toasts with, but he finds himself having to take solace that the gathered at least seem to be respecting the weight of the event.
        Ida steps up and hands Gon a gift to deliver, which he holds between his hands. This may be seen as a wordless 'yes.' He takes a moment to internalize that he has now become an errand boy.
        And that he is at risk of Tromell patting his arm. Concessions are to be made this day, so says Tromell. Gon bows slightly, accepts this latest indignity, mulls over any number of anxieties and suspicions about what it is he was just given (a gift package, duh).
        "...Thank you for your generous gift. I will see it to them at once," Gon manages the best poker face he has ever had this last nine months. He supposes if he does this now before anyone else gets the same idea, this is the only gift he will need to deliver.
        This is a happy day, he reminds himself. Euphoric! Even as fates conspire to have him describe it some other way! 

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

Lydia is not paying too much attention to Ida's wonderful speech (it may have been noticed that she is kind of failing her social norms rolls today) but rest assured that Fei would be very proud of Ida's wedding speech.

She uses the wonderful speech to swipe a soup spoon though.

"I hope I uh earned that," Lydia stammers to Talise. "I'm glad you're having fun though." She seems able to get that out properly before she suddenly and without warning gives Talia a big hug (maybe it's the alcohol she drank) but it's quick. "Thank you." She tells her.

She looks to Ivan and says quietly to him, "Just lets find an..."

Her eyes widen when one person in the party decris fate and decides to go get some air.

"That's it." She murmurs to Ivan. "Come on, we gotta catch her, but like subtly, and like out of the way okay?" Pause. "The blonde girl I mean."

Frown. "The cute one." Pause. Another deeper frown. "The cute one that just left." She exhales. "Not Lan. Okay."

She starts sneaking off after Rikku intending to try and catch her before she gets out of sight, jogging up to quickly try and tug at her sleeve.

"Hey..hey you..." Lydia murmurs. "You got a sec?" 

<Pose Tracker> Lulu has posed.

"I can see that," Lulu says to Rikku, with a note of appreciation.

...Not that that stops her from the matter of timing of course, but then that's just how she is. She doesn't dwell on it, though--with just a nod to Tidus, she moves on.

Lulu leaves the history lesson to Shelinda, this time. Instead, she watches, amidst all the toasts, Krelian. She notes his agreement, and...

Lulu watches Krelian for a long few moments, very obviously studying his expression. The Black Mage finds herself troubled, really. An apologetic smile--and Rikku leaving. Lulu's expression goes neutral, and she shakes her head. "That reminds me," she says instead. "...Where did you say you were from? You must have demonstrated something special, for an appointment to assist a Maester himself."

...After she says this though she watches the retreating Rikku, pensive--and shakes her head. "I admit to some curiousity," she adds. 

<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.

Ashton... sort of just watches the Loren-centric drama happen.
 
Then Emeralda makes him a show piece. Ashton has the good grace to look awkward and embarrassed with a small wave. Creepy and Weepy predictably ham it up like scaley puppies that want treats.
 
AND THEN - a toast. Ashton, who has not been paying attention -at all-, lifts his glass and lets out a somewhat confused "Here here!". 

<Pose Tracker> Ivan has posed.

"On edge sounds about right..." Ivan says, to Talise. "I don't know if that part has changed dramatically, although I am a new person. A different person, actually, if anyone asks. I kind of quit ... a certain military organization, and all. Or rather, someone else did who isn't me." The Vlad scenario is very confusing.

There is a toast! From Ida! She shows up at the strangest places... Ivan can't even toast. He should really put the stuff he's holding down. He finally does so, and snatches up a wine glass that actually has some wine in it and gulps it down fairly quickly.

Lydia continues to be acting in a kind of troubling manner, and says they need to catch a blonde girl. "Who? What? I thought it was a guy...!" But he follows anyhow, hoping he will eventually understand the situation well enough to help. 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

Krelian looks back at Rikku. There is a brief look, but not quite apologetic. Instead, it is something hard to read--no. No, Rikku knows that look; it is one of a cold, disappointed look. Something changed in the seemingly simple aide.

Lulu can see it, too, when he looks back at her.

"I'm afraid, Dame Lulu... that I never shared that." He tilts his head to the side. "...A place that is no more. Lost, to the idea of acceptable sacrifices--and to our own willingness to accept our fate. I bid you good evening."

He does a short bow -- and somehow, when he steps away, he vanishes into the crowd again.

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

Trommel gives Gon Guado a long look, and in that moment the Guado Guardian realizes that Maester Seymour's butler is not inebriated at all. Perhaps he is simply trying to put the Otherworlders at ease.

"Oh, yes!" Shelinda agrees with Talise, gladly. "No songs, but it is our very oldest and most treasured story. The foundation of Yevon, really. I would be glad to teach you all I know of it, that you may spread our teachings far and wide."

There, uh, may be a few assumptions being made here, but no one can say Shelinda isn't an optimist.

"Aw, Rikku!" Tidus says, jogging after her, which means he joins Lydia and Ivan. "I'm sorry!"

He assumes her turn in mood is his fault, in that 'stopped clock is right twice a day' sort of way. He's always making everybody mad...

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

"Whoo! They sure do," Talise agrees with a toothy grin at Talia, wide enough to show off the sharp points of her incisors - one of those little reminders that she's not fully human in her own right. "You know how long it's been since I've had a good party?"

She laughs, knocking back a swig of wine. "We used to party like this all the time when I was growin' up on the streets of Meribia! It all changed, of course, but man. What a way to spend your teenage years. I must've drunk more wine by the age of fifteen than ten Seraph Lanvals." She pauses. "Seraphs Lanval?"

When Lydia speaks to her, Talise smiles quietly. "I know you didn't think much of me back when we first me, but honestly, I admire how much you stick up for people, even when they're troubled. That's something a good friend does. It makes you a pretty damn good person."

When Shelinda jumps to a few conclusions, Talise chuckles awkwardly, scratching one of her cheekstripes. "Ah, yeah... I'd love to hear anything you're willing to share. I love a great story...."

talise no, don't let them check your thetan levels 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline chuckles as Talia gives her a friendly nudge.

"I appreciate it." She replies with a smile, and then a nod toward both her and Talise.

"They certainly do, I'll give them that..." She agrees, and then chuckles again.

"More than Lanval...? I'm surprised you made it through intact." She remarks, impressed.

Off to the side, she notes Lydia departing. She doesn't follow after her - she just hopes the fresh air does her good. She was a little worried about her...

She looks toward Talise and Shelinda, then, offering them both a nod.

"I wouldn't mind hearing it either, actually - I love learning everything I can." 

<Pose Tracker> Rikku has posed.

 
Rikku doesn't make it too far, just to the fringes of where they're toasting. Perhaps she intended to secrete herself away in some isolated Temple Chamber - certainly not go outside. After all it's cold out there.
 
Lydia catches her just brushing her eyes quickly.
 
"Uhm-" Rikku pauses to blink her eyes at Lydia a few times a gesture that draws attention to her swirl like pupils. "Sure!"
 
She says with a smile she quickly puts on like she's pressed a sticker onto her lips. "What... can I do for you?"
 
Before she leans up to look over at Ivan approaching just behind her, "Uh - that a friend of yours?"
 
-and is not all that surprised to find Tidus following too.
 
"Hey - hey it's fine!"
 
Rikku reassures him. Because she knows one thing without a doubt...
 
"You didn't do anything. Promise."
 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"However long it's been... too long!" Talia says to Talise with a bright grin.

She taps a finger against her chin, and she looks around -- realizing she lost track of Ivan and Lydia. Her eyes blink, and then she looks at Jay. "Ah, hm, do you know where my brother went? I don't want to lose track of him, no?"

<Pose Tracker> Lulu has posed.

Lulu does see the look in Krelian's eyes, and she frowns. It's a relatively subtle reaction, compared to that some might give--but to the watchful, it connotes wariness. She does not much like the way he looks at Rikku.

"..." He is gone before she makes her reply, disappearing quickly, as if she simply didn't keep eyes on him--and perhaps she didn't, with the press of the crowd moving before her.

"...A common enough story in Spira," she says, perhaps to the wind. "...And yet..."

A shake of her head, and Lulu makes a note to herself to remember. She looks to where Tidus went after Rikku...

His assumption says good things about him, in that way. Regardless--Lulu finishes her juice. ...Just juice; she has kept her wits about her. From there...

She steps away from her now dissolved social group, towards where she sees Kimahri Ronso, keeping an eye out for Wakka as well. Her expression is as it always is, just another Spiran woman present. ...If she moves with purpose, she also moves quietly, easy to miss. 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline gestures off in the direction outside.

"Ah, I think they went that way...? They might be getting some fresh air." She replies. "Maybe you can catch up to them?" 

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

"My ability to imbibe vast quantities of bock is without parallel," Talise boasts to Jay, despite the fact that Lanval can probably drink her under the table.

She blinks at Talia a time or two, then frowns. "Yeah, I think they went where Jay said? I kind of lost track of things...." 

<Pose Tracker> Brad Evans has posed.

Brad Evans, ARMS' resident man who has never been seen in public in more than 2/3 of a shirt, has a dilemma. The dilemma is that he was in 2/3 of a shirt today, and then a... ....reception? Sure? just sort of, began in front of him.

His solution initially was to be as far away as possible, but the simple fact of the matter is that his instincts are screaming at him that something's...wrong. Something, somehow. Humans - soldiers, especially, Brad would say - have a good sense for when something's wrong. Maybe it was the way Yuna looked as much like she was about to attend her own funeral as her own wedding...

REgardless, he insisted he participate. That presented a problem because Brad Evans does not own, like, nice jackets. Or nice pants. Or shirts, no modifier. Fortuntely, ARMS has certain precautions in place for such eventualities.

Brad Evans is, therefore, hovering t the edges of the party in his normal jeans, his normal unistrap compression shirt...and a very nice jacket, unbuttoned, which is tailored to his titanic frame with great attention and presumably expense. Brad does not know how Eleanor knows these things. He is not sure he is grateful, today, but feeling like a penguin is giving him some comfort from the chill and vague, gnawing sense that he should be seeing something he isn't. 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

Talia pauses, then grins like a devil at Talise and Jay at the same time. "Oh Goddess, they might be making out! I can't follow!"

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

"She's not him," Lydia says quickly to Ivan. Honestly it'd be a lot easier if she started using names but it seems to be actually difficult for her to be clear on what she's trying to get across right now. So instead she's going to try and be vague to someone Ivan's arguably here to protect in the hopes that they can 'do something'. It's not a great plan but it's the one she can make in the midst of her anxiety.

Of course then there's Tidus there whom Lydia recognizes from uh him being a great blitzballer. "Oh shit it's Tidus." He says. "Uh Tidus is not the guy don't hurt Tidus okay?" She asides to Ivan. "Tidus is a blitzballer and probably not a bully like the other blitzballers I know. Not that I know Tidus. Just... I saw him on the...thing? Yeah. Anyway."

She grimaces. "Uggh I don't really want to tell him though? Though I guess he was hanging around them...ugghh...okay, okay fine."

"Look," She lowers her voice so only Rikku, Tidus, and Ivan can hear her. "I don't really know you guys but you gotta know... That guy you were talking to. Be careful of him okay? He's...hurt me before, okay? I don't want him to hurt you too. Just avoid him okay?"

She grimaces sharply after saying that and adds, "Just stay away, okay? Okay, that's it. Sorry."

She looks to Ivan. "Can we bounce now?" 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

The scream echoes from a side chamber.

At first, over the din of the party, the scream may go unnoticed. But, one word might draw the ears of the attentive -- certain the ears of one Auron and the other Guardians: '...in Lady Yuna's belongings...'

A few people on one side of the room blink. Only some turn to look; then, the door opens, light spilling out from the side room. Then, a nun comes stumbling out. "Lord--Lord Jyscal's sphere!" she calls out, hands grippling a glittering green sphere tightly. "Oh, it's terrible!"

Krelian is suddenly there again. He steps from the crowd to the nun's side, and places a hand on her arm. "You said you find something in Lady Yuna's things? Please, we can speak of--"

But with his hand on her arm, and the nun's hurried movement, her feet stumble. The sphere that she holds drops. And then, it is almost strange, how a glass clink on the ground can silence a room. And, yet, it does.

Because the sphere activates.

Then, the hazy, almost holographic image appears: an older Guado, just past middle-aged. with ornate orange, yellow, and black robes. His hair is the wild, tendril-like hair of the Guado, but blue-green -- and his hands are the claws of Guado.

And his expression... his expression is an utterly haunted one.

His voice echoes over a room suddenly so silent that a pin could drop. "What... What I am about to tell you is the unclouded truth. I swear it on my honor as a Guado."

His eyes cloth. His tenor and bearing are exhausted -- and utterly unlike the earlier words of Gon's. "Listen to me very carefully, for I shall tell you the truth about my son, Seymour. His mind is closed even to me, a Maester of Yevon. But..."

And then his eyes open -- and they are wild with grief, desperation, and more. "I can feel flames of darkness burning in his heart! He--he is using Yevon, the Guado, and even the Summoners. If he is not stopped, he will surely bring destruction and chaos to Spira. I know--"

He stops himself. Jyscal's image speaks, now, with a deadly calm: "...I will leave this world soon, killed by my own son. But I do not fault him. Because I was not wise enough, he has suffered, and become twisted. I could not protect him and his mother from the world and its cruelty. I will accept death as punishment for my deeds. But whoever is watching this... I implore you to stop Seymour!"

His image fades, but his final words are clear: "Stop my son."

And, for one moment, the room remains utterly silent. But only for one moment.

<Pose Tracker> Ivan has posed.

IS TIDUS THE GUY??? Tidus isn't the guy. This is such a roller coaster! But Lydia says her piece to Rikku, which turns out to be a warning, then asks Ivan if they can get out of there. That's probably the best thing to do at this point, if this guy being nearby has her so worried...

"All right, we can bounce." If Marivel wanted Ivan to stick around, she should've said so!

WAIT. He looks back to Rikku. "Who were you talking to??" Maybe he can triangulate through people who aren't Lydia...!! 

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

"...Wonderful," says Auron.

<Pose Tracker> Belize has posed.

        Belize has just finished their wine when they hear a scream. They turn sharply, and nearly stumble--ah, they're a bit wobbly, aren't they--when they see a nun rushing into the room with--a sphere? Lord Jyscal's sphere? Krelian tries to stop her, but she trips, and drops the sphere, and--
        
        As the late Maester's message plays, Belize's horror mounts. Their arms go limp. Their glass drops to the floor where it smashes to shards. 

<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.

Well.
 
That's a thing that just happened.
 
Ashton - who was already feeling a bit awkward and lost - now feels moreso. He is one of the many who are caught wholly off-guard by this moment of the dead announcing guilt.
 
So in the moment of silence he simply stares blankly at what just happened.
 
As his wits recover, he takes a single step backwards and away from the sphere. 

<Pose Tracker> Lan Lilac has posed.

 
        Lan's already loading her plate up (when did she get another one? Did it just appear in her hand?) with an assortment of foods both beloved and unknown when a ruckus kicks up in a sideroom. Ah, she thinks pleasantly. The required Wedding Drama is right on schedule. Things will get loud, but they always calm down in the end and everybody learns a valuable lesson about jumping to conclusions and the power of love--

        She chews on a shrimp puff as the recording plays out, eyebrows slowly rising towards her hairline as a man she's never seen before relates a most grave message to a future he'll never see.

        "..." Lan swallows a mouthful of crustacean and quietly murmurs to Loren, suddenly not feeling quite as certain about the power of love's ability to conquer all.

        "Um. Isn't he talking about the groom?" she stage-whispers to him. 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline laughs slightly at Talia's comment...a laugh that gets cut off abruptly, as she hears a scream.

"Wait, did you two-" She pauses, as a nun comes stumbling out of one of the side rooms.

There's the sound of a glass, clinking to the floor...and directly following this, the ghostly image of an older Guado man appears.

Jacqueline goes quiet abruptly. The Guado's voice cuts harshly through the silence that's fallen over the room as he speak of Seymour - the darkness in his heart, and how he would soon be murdered by him.

"...Lunata. I...I need to go find Lunata, now." Jacqueline says, exhaling deeply as she steps away from the others.

She sets her half-empty glass aside in a rather shaky manner.

If Seymour would murder his own father...then what might he do to Lunata? Was he just using her?

She had to find her, and warn her about this. 

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

"How horrifying!" cries a nun, her face in her hands. "I shall pretend I did not witness that."

"I can't believe what the sphere has shown!" cries a monk. "There must be some mistake..."

"Why would Lady Yuna have such a thing?!" asks Shelinda. Storytime is going to have to wait.

O'aka leans over to Tidus. "Wanna buy something, just in case?" he asks, in an undertone.

<Pose Tracker> Rikku has posed.

 
"Wait what-? No! Tidus isn't a bully - and hey don't curse!" She says remonstratively, "There are kids around!"
 
However then Rikku finds herself squinting, "You don't want to tell him? Why me then? I'm Yunie's Guardian too..." She gives Tidus a puzzled sideeye, then listens to it, hearing her out.
 
The guy she was talking to?
 
"Look that's gotta be a mistake - Tidus wouldn't hurt a fly - unless that fly were a Blitzball player or a Fiend. He's a swell guy and-"
 
Rikku just stops for a moment. Realizing that she must mean something else.
 
"Oh poopie you mean the other guy."
 
She has no time to clarify who the other guy is though, due to the announcement. "The Sphere? The one that Yunie had?"
 
She's sideeyeing Tidus and suddenly she's walking towards the party quickly, pushing through the crowd as she . The message though quickly rocks her back on her heels as she puts her hands over her mouth. It takes some time for the message to sink in. The idea of it. That Maester Seymour may have murdered his own father.
 
THIS is what Yuna was carrying all by herself, all this time?
 
It's only after that she asks a question to Auron, to Lulu, to Tidus - to all of the other Guardians. "Will... Yuna be alright?"
 
She wishes she knew her well enough... that she didn't need to ask.
 

<Pose Tracker> Loren Voss has posed.

        Loren straightens at the sound, still holding two entire plates of food in each hand. He freezes like that, watching as the sphere plays out its tale.

        "...I knew it," he murmurs, gaze darkening. In disbelief he shoots a glance at Lan. "Yes, that's the groom," he hisses back. He takes a step forward, then regards the contents upon them and hesitates.

        One of the plates is handed over to Lan. The other --

        Well, he kneels and pulls out a black medical shoulder bag and upends the contents into it. Before sliding it back onto the table. And then he grabs his bag. He's barely gotten to eat anything, he's not going to just leave it. Especially since--

        He seeks out Krelian, searching for the man and attempting to get his silent attention.

        --He doesn't think he's going to get to eat anything else for a little while yet.

        "Come on," he says to Lan. "I think the party's over." 

<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.

A few moments later, Ashton is on his heels out the door. This is a big development - that much he's figured out.
 
It's way over his pay grade. And so it's time to find somebody who IS on that level. It's time to find Marivel and make it her problem. 

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

Talise affects a small pout towards Talia, but then sighs. "I guess we should leave 'em to it, then...."

Someone screams. Talise's ears perk up. Straightening slightly, the swordswoman frowns, looking towards one side of the room. "Talia, something's happening," she begins to say.

A Sphere drops. A figue phases into view. Slowly, Talise takes a few steps forward, trying to get a better look at things.

Setting her goblet down on the tray of a stock-still server, the tall swordswoman leans forward slightly, eyes fixed on the image. Her mouth opens just slightly, then snaps closed, teeth biting lightlyaround the tier of her lower lip.

        '...killed by my own son.'

Talise narrows her eyes slightly, then straightens up, pushing one hand through her hair slowly. A long rush of breath escapes through her teeth. It feels entirely too loud in her ears.

"So that's a thing," Talise says crisply as she straightens up, pushing back a fold of her coat. It jingles. 

<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.

        With the toast delivered, Ida makes her way through the crowd towards its edge. The heiress pulls her fur-lined mantle tighter about her as she emerges, turns, and looks up at Brad Evans. She glances down at his... attempt at a suit, and wonders whose doing it was. Eleanor's? Marivel's? "Mr. Evans. I wasn't expecting to see you here," Ida says, to the man who is now her comrade. "What's your read on all of this?" The aura of politeness slides off her face, just as it did when 'Thomas' confronted Elly. Her voice lowers until it's all but lost in the din of the crowd. "God, I feel for her. I don't know the man, but I'll be damned if this isn't some sort of political--"

        A scream. Ida's head whips in its direction; her right hand curls into a half-fist, Hyadean biometals curling through her skin and pushing against the glove encasing it. She watches as the Sphere oh-so-slowly rolls across the floor, comes to a stop, and activates.

        Ida's mouth falls open. "Where is Yuna?" she says, the dead man's words still echoing in her ears. She turns, and looks up at Brad, horror and grim resolve mingling on her face. "Her safety is paramount."

<Pose Tracker> Talise Gianfair has posed.

        --MEANWHILE...--

From where she's been sitting on the sidelines, Clarissa Arwin sits up, her eyes wide as she listens to the image reveal the truth about Seymour.

The girl swallows a lump in her throat. "...Then... then he's been lying all along," she murmurs as realization dawns on her.

The shock gives way to something else. Indignation.

If there is one thing that gets under Clarissa Arwin's skin more than anything, it's lies and the lying liars who tell them. She comes slowly to her feet, her lips pressed together as she looks up towards the ceiling a moment, then out across the room.

She and Felius had done their best to help Yuna get here. Now the Summoner's in danger again.

...I have to help her. I HAVE to! 

<Pose Tracker> Gon Guado has posed.

        Gon is on his way to extract himself from the lot of them, to deliver this gift at a pace measured as such so that Ida is the only one who ever gets the chance to ask him. Once one Otherworlder assumes this a norm, doubltess that they will all burden him with all sorts of... errand boy tasks.
        'Lord Jyscal's sphere!' Someone calls, and Gon's attention immediately turns. (He is still positioned in such a way he cannot clearly see Krelian.)
        (by the time the sphere drops, his eyes have no desire nor business looking anywhere but the projection.)
        The message plays, with all clarity in the late Lord Jyscal's words and emotion. Right at the very end of it, Gon Guado - dutiful foot soldier that he is - attempts to stand before the fading projection, back facing to it. His face is as stern as ever, as he grips on the tension with a readiness to action that credits his years of experience both as a hunter of Fiends and as a protector of Summoners who would take the pilgrimage.
        "I ask for calm." Gon says. It won't be long before he stands in the direction of where people would theoretically have to go to meet with Yuna.
        He cannot possibly keep a dozen plus concerned Drifters at bay. (This is not even a Brute 1 Challenge. This is a Brute 0 Challenge.) 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

Talia's red eyes fall onto the sphere. Much of this doesn't make sense to her; much of this is hard to understand. She lacks the means to, though there is a flash of overpowering bitterness and intense shame at hearing a father speak of a child in such terms.

Her eyes dart towards Jacqueline. She swallows, then nods. "Jay... be careful, no? I am going to find Ivan and Lydia. See if anyone else is here--keep them safe. Don't worry about them."

She bobs her head to Talise -- and then turns, bolting away.

MEANWHILE:

Krelian's hand lets the nun's go. She steps away from the sphere, and Krelian looks at it for a moment. Then, he looks up. His eyes meet Loren Voss's across the room.

There is, frighteningly, a single nod.

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline looks back at Talia and offers her a nod.

"Thanks. You take care too, alright?" She says. And then... she takes off. She doesn't know where she's going, but she knows what she has to do.

- Meanwhile... -

Clarine rises from where she's been sitting this whole time, a frown crossing her face. Concern and panic is starting to break out across the party-goers. She knows what she has to do now - namely, rejoin the rest of ARMS, so that they can be prepared to deal with whatever might be about to happen. 

<Pose Tracker> Loren Voss has posed.

        It's just one, single nod. Just one, and from a man like Krelian, it says everything he needs to know.

        Loren finds his pulse quicken, in anticipation of what comes next. He swallows against a dry throat. With just a glance at Lan, he begins to push his way through the crowd. 

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

Lydia says, "Ughh why can't I just...." She grumbles to herself before rushing after Rikku. "W-wait...one more thing...He's probably after her--" She has no idea if this is true or not but it has been talked at length at how summoning is similar between the Mediums and the Fayths. And she knows Krelian has an interest in the former, right? That's why he--

But then there's the sphere and well whatever Krelian MIGHT do is obviously going to not really resonate as well as possibly the groom being a friggin' killer.

"Uh." She says at that before looking back to Ivan. "Yeah. Let's uh... Let's get out of here quickly because, um, I'm starting to think like my problems are about to become, uh, Spira's problems. Let's get Talia though because obviously?" She pauses though, catching a glimpse off a nod--

--and quietly ends up nodding herself before moving on to catch up with Talia.

MEANWHILE

Near Auron, shadows suddenly shift and take the form of Marivel, looking a bit more red-eyed than normal and slumping against the wall. It becomes clear rather quickly that she heard the contents of the sphere.

"What is man," Marivel murmurs to Auron. "A miserable pile of secrets."

She pushes over a wineglass so it shatters to the floor.

"Her determination... I wonder if Seymour knows what he's getting. Still," She manages a small smile. "She shouldn't have to do it alone, no? Now that we know?" 

<Pose Tracker> Lulu has posed.

The bad feeling that Lulu had before begins to take shape; to coalesce, and grow. Her swift steps, skirt swirling, take her across the Hall floor. Amidst the laughter and song and food, she moves--and the nun comes out of the side room. The shock begins...

Lulu sees the sphere play; she sees the thousand little pieces fall into place, the details that had been absent connecting in an instant, and she regards it stoically--

Save for a sudden, sharp look, that meets Kimahri's eyes first--finds each of the other Guardians.

"Making sure is our task, Rikku."

The Guardian's words are crisp, her red eyes focused. 

<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.

 
The image.

The image tells them something horrible. Elly shrinks from it, for a moment. She takes Emeralda's hand. She sucks in a deep breath.

"... We have to get in touch with the others," she says, to Emeralda. "Are you ready to go? We have to hurry. If this is true... then, Lady Yuna's in--"

Elly doesn't think of the word she says, because the word she says is "trouble." Elly thought of a three word phrase, which, translated, refers to a deep quantity of unprocessed sewage. 

<Pose Tracker> Ivan has posed.

Just as Ivan is about to learn who The Guy is...a scream rings out, and a terrible secret comes out about Seymour Guado killing his own father. Ivan does not even have time to wonder if this absolves him of wrongdoing for having tried to kill the man once, because -- he still needs to know who the damn guy spooking Lydia is!!

"I know this whole thing is huge, but--..."

Lydia suggests they leave NOW. But... but...!! But!....

Okay, but some shit is obviously about to go down and now he knows someone who knows...

"Okay, we'll get Talia and go." He hurries after Lydia, and looks back to Rikku as they depart. "I guess I can... ask her later..." 

<Pose Tracker> Yuna has posed.

'Stop my son.'

"Without us, no," Auron confirms to Rikku, firmly, darkly.

Tidus jogs up with Rikku. Wakka looks at them all, wild-eyed.

"W-where you goin'?" he stammers, dragging his fingers through his hairspike.

"You saw, didn't you?" Tidus cries at him. Any relief he might feel about Yuna's interest in Seymour being a sham -- as well as strictly transactional, which he'd already understood, without understanding anything at all -- has been totally whited out by panic at the idea of her confronting him alone. "Seymour's bad news!"

"But he's a maester!" Wakka objects.

"Hmph, fine! Stay here if you want!" Tidus growls, before hurrying to join Kimahri -- who is looking in the direction of the stairs to the Cloister of Trials, and Gon Guado, guarding it.

Lulu answers, too, and Wakka groans, and facepalms. "This can't be happening."

But he follows her across the room.

<Pose Tracker> Lan Lilac has posed.

 
        Damn. Sometimes Lan hates being right.

        Loren steals an entire chicken or something, Lan's not paying a ton of attention, and she ditches her half-full plate on the table next to the rest of the food. "I don't really know what's going on, but..." the Baskar girl trails off, watching shock and upset melt across the room.

        But they can't let anything bad happen to that Yuna girl, right? It's supposed to be her wedding party!

        It doesn't occur to Lan that if the sphere was found in Yuna's things, Yuna has almost certainly already seen its contents. Lan isn't particularly bright in all the ways that count. She reaches up out of habit to check that her silver ribbon is still tied firmly around her ponytail before hurrying after Loren and Krelian. 

<Pose Tracker> Brad Evans has posed.

Brad has a drink of his own. It was delivered by a very brave young woman that Brad is still wondering how he tips.

Ida approaches, and she can tell Brad is watchful. Something's bothering him; an awareness of the field. Like a soldier waiting for the shoe to drop.

"My read," he rumbles to her, and lets the thought hang. "I was there when she separated from her Guardians. I've seen goodbyes like that before," he says, and visibly restrains a memory from splashing itself across his thoughts. "...you don't make that face when you're expecting to come home," he says, quietly.

And then ...the image. The swirling particles of light.

Brad relaxes. At last, something makes sense.

"I'm going to call Ashley," he says, and plucks his Empathite radio from his jacket pocket, stepping for the door - his bulk, like a rolling boulder, cutting a path for Ida to follow. "Come on, this is just the start." 

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

The Temple shakes.

Unlike but a moment before, the Temple does not shake in a metaphorical sense. It is not the weight of the revelations here that shakes it, but the crack-boom of artillery. Ice and stone shoot down from a hole blasted into the wall of the Temple. It smashes into a wooden table, shattering it into so much kindling and splinters, and then food and drink spoill over the ground. Shattered glasses, scattered food, and silverware and plates fly across the floor. Partygoers are bowled over.

There are screams, again -- one nun is clutching her leg, crushed under ice, and one of the band members was smashed into the stone of the wall. The answer comes when the door bursts open -- and a bloodied, wounded Guado Guardian limps in.

"Enemies! At the gate!" he calls out. "They--they wear strange uniforms, carry machina--and they come for the Temple! They--"

A bullet blasts through his skull. Blood splashes on the ground, and his corpse crumples to the Temple's flagstones.

Trommel watches this unfold -- watches as some of the Guardians rush forward -- and then he turns. He looks at the sphere, fallen on the ground... and picks it up in a clawed hand. The Temple shakes, as the shouts of attackers outside are heard, but his world shakes more.

"Lord Seymour was the leader of the Guado before becoming a Maester..." He speaks quietly. His clawed hand squeezes -- and the sphere shatters in it. "...and the Guado take care of Guado affairs."

He does not look up, as the doors swing open the rest of the way -- and a trio of figures stalk up the bridge, murder in their eyes and power in their hands. The shards of glass fall from a clawed hand; the flagstones shake under the feet of those here; the walls of Macalania Temple and Spira shake to their firmaments.

        TO BE CONTINUED...

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