Gathering Guardians

*Syrona controlled her breathing to avoid the poison taking control*

"[cough] well [cough] that couldn't have gone better. Glad you all showed up when you did. Otherwise, Max and I would have been goners."

*She holsters her weapons and approaches the group*

Ark: <Cu, oui yna Senthose? Ed'c... hela du saad oui.>

*He looks at the machina*

Ark: <Fryd fna dro dnoehk du tu... fyc Luna dra dynkad? Drao luimth'd ryja ghufh fa fana lusehk.>

"Al Bhed? Knew I shouldn't have skipped that class..."

"It wasn't a problem, I assure you. But...I don't think you even needed my help."

*She looks at Senthose, who is examining the bodies & the cargo.*

Senthose<The Maesters always show up for the first Blitz of the season. This was clearly a terroristic assassination attempt. If the Maesters were slain, I would have naturally swooped in to save Luca, & that would have given me much greater control in Spira, if not outright control over Yevon. They would have successfully created an Al Bhed Empire without anyone being any the wiser, had they not been discovered. Instead, they went & got themselves killed, leaving me short 5 Blitzers.>

Mika<You think the Al Bhed Psyches will still be allowed to compete?>

Senthose<Why not? If you read the contracts, you'll note that the team officially has no members, as of yet. Since they were not on the team, said team cannot be disqualified on the basis of their actions.>

Ronso Maester<Grand Maester...there is nothing linking Senthose to this attack. We cannot convict him based on unfortunate coincidence alone. It would be against the Teachings.>

Ark: <Wait... so you're a few Blitzers short?>

*He walks to Senthose and pats him in the back*

Ark: <Fear not, you have the best Blitzer in Spyra right here!>

Zephyr is still staring into the distance lost in thought.

*Max remains silent as he opens a book.*

*Hitomi walks away.*

Senthose<We are so losing this match. Well, beggars can't be choosers.>

*He slides out in front of Hitomi, holding out a hand.*

Senthose<Greetings. You seem like a charming young girl. Want to play Blitzball with the big leagues? (Yc famm yc syga so maykia dra myikrehk cdulg uv ymm uv Spira?)>

"No. Du pudr."

*Hitomi turns away from Senthose and goes towards the nearest person who may or may not be wounded and holds a hand out, a green light enveloping them healing their wounds.*

Ark: <You're an ass.>

Zephyr sighs, "We should rest Luna."

Senthose<Why don't you heal the boy of the poison. I'll handle the rest.>

*Senthose snaps his fingers, causing everyone's wounds to be healed in helixes of white light.*

Senthose<There's money in the game. Or perhaps you'd like me to teach you some White Magic. You really don't want to be a Blitzer? Not for any price in the world?>

"Not to pile on, but I was kind of hoping you'd join me as my Guardian. We have no healers on our team."

*Hitomi casts esuna on what's his name and goes about ignoring Senthose and Luna till' he mentions teaching her white magic then she snaps to attention.*

[Well that is tempting.]

Ark: <I am so confused. Why is he recruiting a random girl to a Blitz... I just realized he's paying us. I'm in!>

"I'm going for a walk, later" Zephyr walks off.

<I see something I said caught your attention...but perhaps a priestess of Yevon would be a better teacher. In the meantime, I'll just have to find some other candidates for my team. By tomorrow, of course.>

"What's eating Zephyr?"

*Max remains silent as he watches everything going on.*

"Guardians? If you're looking for Guardians, I could use some adventure!"

[Joining them would be an opportunity to meet those priestesses he mentioned.]

"I'll join."

Ark: <Dunno, he's been acting like a dick since we left Besaid. Much like our pal here.>

*He looks at Senthose*

<What did I do? Besides allowing you to join my team, of course. Still, we need to find some other players. I lost 5, after all.>

"Great! What about...?"

*Her gaze drifts slowly towards Max.*

Ark: <Oh, hi there.>

*He randomly waves at Max*

Zephyr is exploring (aka now would be a good time to trigger a memory)

*Max looks up.*

Max: <W-what? Me?>