The Palace of St. Bevelle

"(Usually after a long life. Not a trip around the world.)"

<Fine. Whatever. Put it on my tab, then. Just let us in.>

Rin<Certainly. Your patronage is very much appreciated.>

*He steps out of the way, gesturing them inside. Luna heads in first. Senthose stoops down again.*

"(If you really feel that way, perhaps you should consider the fact that the pilgrimage is just as dangerous for the guardians as for the summoner.)"

*He strides into the building. Luna sits down, ordering hot chocolate. Senthose heads straight back to the beds without saying another word.*

~Everyone obtains 500 Gil, now leave me alone, Canadian~

Zephyr sits down next to Luna, "Are you truly sure you want to complete this pilgrimage?"

[I have, but what matters is the Summoner makes it to the end.]

*Hitomi goes inside and sits down the door.*

"There is no other alternative."

*Luna drinks the hot chocolate that just arrived.*

"All right, group, we've got 15 minutes before we head out! YOU HEAR THAT BACK THERE?!"

<Yes! Shut up!>

"Mr. Rin, could we borrow something for the cold, please? Like shawls, or something?"

Rin<I think that could be arranged.>

"Thank you very much."

*Hitomi takes some of her hair to re-braid it, but stops and stands up, then heads to the till.*

"There's always another way."

"You're not a Guado. You wouldn't understand."

*The Al Bhed woman behind the counter is in a heavy coat that obscures her face, even without the bizarre mask that makes her look like an oversized bug. Only slight curves & some blond hair sticking out show that it's a woman. She seems to look Hitomi over very carefully before speaking.*

<Like your hair. What d'you want?>

"T-thank you... Fire and Blizzard, please."

"I said it before. I'm not keen on senseless self sacrifice, or sacrifice in general. When you've seen a city made of nothing but corpses you'd understand."

Ark: <Not too rare a sight, buddy. Thanks to Sin,>

*Ark walks to the bookcase behind the table and takes an Al Bhed book, sitting on the floor skimming it*

"Have you ever been there as it was happening? Have you seen all of your loved ones dying in front of you? Have you had to climb out from under a mountain of ruble and corpses only to stare into the dead eyes of your sister who you couldn't protect?"

*After making her purchase, Hitomi turns away from the counter.*

"Is your sob story going somewhere?"

Ark: <You shut up.>

*He glares at Zephyr and walks out to stare at the lake*

*Senthose enters the room.*

<In other news, it's been 15 minutes. Time to go, everyone.>

*Hitomi makes her way to the door.*

*Ark smiles as he sees them walk out*

Ark: <All right, off we go!>

Zephyr remains quiet

*Senthose takes some fur cloaks from Rin & distributes them to everyone.*

"What are these made from?"

<I don't want to know.>

*After about an hour or so of walking, they come to a small, stone entrance in the lake, like a man-made cave, beside which 2 priests are standing. Senthose stops.*

"What is it?"

<What, did you really forget? Ark can go into the temples because he's a guardian. I'm not.>

Priest<An Al Bhed Guardian? Can...can that be done?>

"Does it matter?"

*Hitomi stares, the cloaks hood covering most of her face.*

Ark: <I don't care, I'm not going in there anyway.>

<Don't be stupid. What kind of a Guardian are you if you're not around the Summoner to guard her? It's not as though she has an elite battallion with her.>

"Lets go Ark" Zephyr stands at Luna's side.

Ark: <It's a temple. What could possibly happen, it's not like an old fart in a dress is going to shoot you or anything. Not unless I'm with you, at least.>