Chasing Eternal Calm - A FFX Roleplay [Aorigami & RyuHll]

[RyuHll]

Kato laughed a bit, looking at Trommel. "May we have a moment to discuss it?" Once the Guado servant walked off, the blind Guardian returned his attention Sera. "You have no need to worry about us. Why do you think I've been taking the time to train Soren? He's strong enough as is to defend you until you reach Zanarkand. He's strong enough to give Seymour problems. I'm almost betting on the fact that Seymour will challenge us. Soren will kick his ass, regardless of if I'm involved in the fight or not. And, believe me, I will be if he threatens Soren. I don't think he can beat the kid, let alone both of us." He smiled reassuringly, taking Sera's hand and squeezing it lightly. "We'll be fine."

Renok cleared his throat. "Maester Seymour can't harm any of you. He can't harm or impede a Summoner's progress. Attacking her Guardians impedes her progress, correct?" he asked, looking from Kato to Sera.

"Ah, right...this is Renok," Kato said with a smile, gesturing to the Al-bhed. He didn't realize it, but he was still holding Sera's hand in reassurance with the whole thing. "Our past fights have been misunderstandings. He joined Mushroom Rocks Bay to show the Maesters that the Machina weren't evil and that they could help against Sin rather than being subjugated for causing Sin to come. We had a little talk and...well, he'd like to be your Guardian as well. To show that the Al-bhed aren't all bad."

[Aorigami]

As Eilie quietly observed the conversation, the subtle gestures that were exchanged between Sera and Kato didn't escape her attention. If any, it served to feed the suspicion that had been brewing in her mind ever since she saw them embracing by the sea. They were growing closer; and though Eilie knew full well that many guardians and summoners become lovers throughout the pilgrimage, Kato's condition was not something to take lightly in this situation.

Ensured that she was the only one to take an action, Eilie stepped forward. "Lady Sera, may I speak to you privately?" she asked, before leading the half-Guado closer to the river, where they could talk more confidentially.

"What is it, Eilie?" asked Sera, slightly disappointed in having to let go of Kato's hand. She had also just called Tromell back, and they were so close to finally departing to Macalania Woods.

"I just want to suggest that you think over Renok's offer to become your guardian," said Eilie. "As you know he's an Al-Bhed. I know that his intention is good, but please also consider the impact of his joining the pilgrimage would entail. How would the priests and priestesses of Yevon temples react?"

Sera sighed once Eilie finished her little speech. She hadn't expected having both a Crusader and an Al-Bhed as her guardian would become so tiring. "I'll consider it, Eilie, though I also want to let you know that Al-Bhed are not all bad. They're people just like us, too," she replied, before walking back to the rest of the group, followed by a sighing Eilie. Eventually they would end up following Tromell's lead, who would guide them through the road leading to Guadosalam.

[RyuHll]

Kato stayed by Renok, not really trusting Eilie with him at the moment. The two were on bad terms from the start. He knew that much. Soren, for his own part, stayed by Sera, holding on to her hand. He didn't need to, of course. He just liked being close to her, overly protective of her. Especially with where they were going.

It wasn't that long to reach Guadosalam. Though, it was a rather odd looking city. It almost resembled a cave to Kato, the paths bending over themselves to open up the rest of the area. One path led off toward an...odd feeling place. He didn't know what to make of it, really. But he ignored it, turning towards Trommel. "So...to Maester Seymour's?" he asked, speaking a little more politely than he was used to. He'd have to to stay on Seymour's good side. Soren tensed at the mention of the name, though only Sera would be able to tell from him holding her hand.

[Aorigami]

"Of course. This way please," replied Trommell to Kato's question before leading the party to a winding path that ended at by a large double door, decorated by intricate carvings of Yevon symbols. Trommell pushed open the doors and guided the guests into a circular hall with two grand staircases on its two sides, both leading to the same door on the second floor.

"Welcome to the Guado Manor," said Trommell to the guests like a good guide that he was. "Dinner will be served in the moment in the hall on the first floor. Lord Seymour shall receive you there." And with that, he proceeded to stand in front of the very door he mentioned earlier, as if preventing anyone to enter before dinner preparation was completed.

[RyuHll]

Kato placed his hand down at the sheathe of his sword as he heard that, stepping aside to wait until it was time for them to enter. Soren didn't move from Sera's side. He looked up at her for a moment and smiled a bit. "We'll be alright, right?" he asked her quietly so Trommel wouldn't hear. After the last time he faced Seymour, he wasn't sure how badly the Maester would react to his and Kato's presence. Though, he was confident that they would make it out, he still didn't like the fact that it would endanger Sera too. Should anything happen.

[Aorigami]

Sera tried to smile as reassuringly as possible at Soren, having felt his tightened grip ever since they arrived in the Guado capital. "Of course we will, Soren. With you and Kato around, nobody can stand a chance," she said, shortly before the summoner looked around the hall. It was a vague memory, but she remembered visiting the place a few times when she was little. "Things doesn't seem to change so much around here," she mumbled mostly to herself.

Meanwhile, Eilie had started to examine the staircases. The most notable thing that she noticed was the pictures of the past leaders of Guado that hung on the walls. It interested her greatly how the leaders before Seymour all seemed alike, as if they were one person. Then again, she had always thought that all Guado look the same.

[RyuHll]

Renok was looking around as well, taking in the different things in the main hall. After a while, he looked to Trommel, growing impatient. "When will we be admitted? Maester Seymour did invite us in," he commented. "I need to speak with him as well, regarding the results of the battle at Mushroom Rocks Bay."

[Aorigami]

"Lord Seymour shall receive you when dinner is ready, Sir." Trommell informed Renok while giving him an apologetic bow. "My sincerest apology, but you need to wait a little bit more."

Shortly after the Guado servant stood straight back up, a bell jingled softly from somewhere behind the door. "Ah, apparently dinner is served. This way, ladies and gentlemen." Trommell turned around finally and opened the door, making way for Sera and her guardians to enter the dining hall. Plates abd cutlery were lined on both sides of a big ornate table in the middle of the room, accompanied by stacks of freshly baked breads. At the tip of the dining table, Seymour awaited. He rose up as soon as the door was open, and walked directly to Sera.

"Lovely to see that my dearest cousin can make it for dinner," he said shortly before planting a kiss on the back of the summoner's hand. His eyes then fell on the direction of Eilie. "I believe that your new team of guardians took good care of you on your journey from Mushroom Rocks. It pains me that we failed to properly say goodbye on our last encounter."

[RyuHll]

Soren looked up at him, squeezing Sera's hand slightly. "I think we would have if you hadn't attacked Sir Kato," he said defensively, out of character for himself. He didn't usually speak up and let the others do the talking.

Kato moved to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's fine. The fault was mine," the blind Guardian spoke softly. "Maester Seymour, I must apologize for that. I wasn't in my right mind at the time." He paused a moment, but decided it would be best to drop it until after dinner. He would need an audience with the Maester, but it could wait.

[Aorigami]

Seymour curved a smile at both Kato and Soren. "Apologies can wait until after dinner," he said before turning around on his heel towards the dining table. "Come now. The meals are getting cold."

His grasp on Sera's hand caused the summoner to follow after him, eventually settling on the chair besides the Guado leader. Once everyone was seated, Seymour rang the bell next to his plate and Guado servants entered the room from a back door bearing plates full of meal which were served to all the guests. "I hope you all enjoy a traditional Guado meal that we are serving tonight," announced Seymour.

Sera herself waited until everybody had started eating before picking up her own fork. She wasn't quite sure how to behave around Seymour, especially with Kato in the same room. She glanced back at the blind Al-Bhed, then, curious to know how he coped with the whole situation.