The Palace of St. Bevelle

"I don't know, it just looked like that's where you were headed."

[Well, it doesn't matter right now. We haven't really talked about the end of the pilgrimage either... Maybe I should talk to Hitomi and the knuckleheads.]

*He runs back towards the temple.*

"It wasn't."

"What is it like in there anyway?"

"Hmm...."

[Am I supposed to talk about it?]

"Serene?"

*Ark enters the room at that moment.*

"Serene..."

Ark: <Yeah, praying to a spirit trapped within a statue to proceed on your suicidal journey must be all kinds of serene. Let's get going.>

"Well, if you put it that way, you're just being unfair. But yeah, I guess Senthose probably is getting sick of waiting."

*She heads up the stairs.*

"Agreed" he follows.

*Hitomi begins leaving the temple.*

*Ark follows.*

Ark: <Silly white mage.>

*He chuckles, glancing at Hitomi.*

*Outside, they find Senthose camped outside of an igloo with a mug of hot chocolate.*

<Yo. Anything interesting happen while I was gone?>

"Not really."

Ark: <Boring praying. As usual.>

*He walks to Senthose and peeks into the mug.*

Ark: <(...I want chocolate too!)>

"Same old same old, fought a sin spawn..."

"I see...well, your story's boring. Let's continue on to Bevelle. Rin said he'd have someone pick up our coats there, too."

*Senthose stands up, the igloo exploding dramatically behind him.*

Ark: <You're the worst leader ever! I'm glad I didn't vote for you.>

*He walks with Hitomi.*

Ark: <(Hum... Hitomi?>

Zephyr is silent.

*Hitomi puts her hood up*

"Yes?"

*As they start walking, we have to take a filler break for Ark's bullshit.*

Ark: <(Have you thought about what's going to happen after Luna finishes her pilgrimage?)>

"No."

*As they walk, they come to a cliff. Descending it, the snow & ice gradually gives way to flowers & a flowing river. They can see the city of Bevelle floating on the water below, a long bridge connecting it to the land.*

"Amazing! There's the highbridge...& I never realized before how much the city's layout resembles a butterfly! What a beautiful design...."

<Oh. Ark. I suppose now is the best time to mention it. Are you aware that you can use the same alchemy that modifies weapons & armor on Aeons?>

"That seems convenient Senthose" Zephyr calls back.

Ark: <(We'll talk about this later.)>

*He turns to Senthose and scratches the back of his head.*

Ark: <What?>