One item to reveal all

Danger gleams like sunshine

After their tense discussion over the last hour, Zavien was relieved to be moving. As they walked through the greenery towards the Celestine's shrine, they debated the merits of one aspect over another. However, by the time they'd reached the altars, they'd come to an agreement on their item's specifics.

He placed an array of foods that Lena had prepared for their meeting across the shrine along with a clear yellow stone he'd taken from the shores of the Miana Pool. Not quite sure what else to do, he turned to Lena and Koa. Smiling sheepishly, he asked, "So how do we do this? Do we just stand in a circle and pray? Hold hands? Take turns?" Zavien didn't feel like he should be the one leading. He didn't want to screw up the words and ruin it for everyone, so he looked to the others for assistance, nervous about whether the herald would respond to their request.

Zavien

to a brave man's eyes.

idealism sits in prison, chivalry fell on his sword

Koa, too, is happy to be moving, to be turning from talk to action. He lets Zavien and Lena set out the array of offerings, trusting their abilities more than his own - even if he wasn't a mess of rushing thoughts and fraying nerves, his aesthetic skills have never been spectacular.

A chuckle rolls from him, warm and unbidden, as Zavien struggles to take the lead. "I usually start with kneeling," the Dragoon offers, glancing over to Lena for confirmation. "And then, y'know. Ask that they take the time to grace us with their favor. Vi... well, Vi is pretty unlikely, I think, but we might as well ask." It seems important enough, after all, and even if Life himself doesn't bless them, Koa won't be disappointed by a visit from the stars.

Kneeling in the grass before the shrine, Koa waits for Lena to lead their prayer. She is, after all, the most grown-up authoritative among them, and the keeper of this shrine. It feels only correct that she should be the one to invoke the names of the gods.

koa

code by sky

// where your body hears the words of the sun //

Lena was content that anything was happening at all; a larger movement and balance from moments and days before where naught seemed plausible or possible. Whether or not they’d be answered was one thing, but to have a clear notion of what they craved was another.

She came with food, but also more offerings for their chosen deity. Trinkets and tokens of favored things – a shed claw from an ursur, a necklace of stars, a woven, tapestried portion of Vi and Safrin performing feats of strength and devotion upon their followers. Arching her brow at Zavien, but saying nothing on that front, she kneeled, thinking it better to model, and spread her own contributions, tributes, and dedications amidst the shrine. “You give offerings. Sometimes it depends on the deity.” Frey preferred fruits and cream, portions of the earth, Safrin yearned for things that contained her beauty and sagacity, and Ludo craved games, amusements, snacks. “And gratitude, a thank you and acknowledgment for sparing their precious time for us.”

She then bowed her head, waiting for the others to do the same. Her mind was filled with adornments of life and what they had to offer – attempting to find a way to manage in this time of strife and brutal alteration. “Safrin, thank you for striving to aid Caido, and we hope that you hear us. We were hoping for a ring, to be shared amongst ourselves, in order to detect anything void-related.” Perhaps an alarm, a vibration, a twitch, a sensation to coerce through metal and alert them well in advance.

--

Zavien, Koa, and Lena are praying to Safrin in hopes of questing for an item (ring) to detect void-related things.

Lena

// spoken in the voices of trees //

every bait and switch was a work of art

If there's one thing Safrin likes, it's a crowd calling her name.

Rather than slipping soundlessly through a tear in space and time, instead the goddess's arrival is heralded by thick lilac smoke that settled over the pathways and pools, filling the air with a summer-sweet fragrance. Stepping forth, her curves covered by lace, Safrin's perfectly painted lips were curved into a resplendant smile as she gazed at the three assembled before her.

"Koa." She purred, offering the dragoon a wink before looking toward the other two. She knew who they were, of course—there was little Safrin didn't know—despite having never met them. "My thanks to you, caretaker, for all you've done for the Celestine." Safrin said, smiling at Lena, before turning her galactic stare towards Zavien. "Vi hears your prayers, as do I. Never think that we don't." She says softly, before straightening to consider their request.

"A smart idea, given..." The goddess rolls the wrist of one hand to indicate the general state of the world. "Take this—" Holding out her palm, upon it was a dark-blue ring inlaid with flecks of starlight, Safrin explained what they would need to do.

---

1. Touch the ring to a known void-flora
2. Touch the ring to a known void-fauna
3. Touch the ring to where the meteor fell
4. Take the ring to an area taken over by the Family (the Greatwood, Feverlands, or by the time they start their quest, the Oerwoud).

OR, instead of 1-4, have the ring held by someone infected (no meta-gaming or else)

5. BONUS: will get the item to Upgraded -- take the ring (or have it taken) to Starfall Island.

you're the one prize i'd cheat to win

Danger gleams like sunshine

Following Lena's example closely, he made sure the offerings were displayed before kneeling down at the altar. As she spoke, he sent up his appreciation for the gods and their willingness to listen to prayers. And finally, he let his own sentiments join her prayer, lifting it up in hope and faith.

Unlike his solo visits, their call was quickly answered in a flourish of sweet purple smoke. The color gave him pause, worried that they had been discovered, however, the goddess's emerging form had Zavien quickly dipping his head in reverent respect. Despite their pleas, it was quite a shock to actually be meeting Safrin. He'd only caught a glimpse of the lacey figure before choosing to stare holes into the ground, too focused on making sure his stuttered breaths weren't echoing within the shrine. It was an overwhelming experience to be in her presence and he tried to calm his racing heart enough to hear her acknowledge each of them in turn. When he was finally addressed, the Accepted raised his head to meet Safrin's gaze, eyes wide in awestruck wonder, barely able to gather his courage enough to clasp a hand over his chest in thanks, knowing that his visits didn't fall on deaf ears.

He doesn't have long to inspect the herald before the answer to their prayer is being presented on an outstretched hand. Reaching out hesitantly, Zavien accepted the ring from her outstretched hand. It resembled the night sky, glittering specs on a dark blue canvas. Closing his fingers over its form, he bowed his head again. "Thank you, Safrin. We won't waste your gift." With the ring settled in his palm, he leaned forward, memorizing every word and instruction. He was determined to prove his devotion to the herald and the quest she had provided them. First impressions were important and he wanted her to know that he was taking this seriously. His brow furrowed in concentration and he nodded along with her words, stealing grateful glances at his companions for not leaving him alone in this important endeavor.

Zavien

to a brave man's eyes.

idealism sits in prison, chivalry fell on his sword

For the first time that day Koa truly smiles, the storm clouds that have soured his expression breaking into reverent adulation and the slightest tinge of pink. "My Lady," he answers, bowing deeply, a playful glimmer in the burnished gaze that can't leave Safrin's face. He straightens as the others are addressed in turn, quietly smug to note that he is the only one greeted by name. A goddess knows my name! he does not mentally squeal, because that would be childish and he's a grown-ass man.

But if there's a manly version, then yeah. Koa does that.

Now straightened at attention, Koa watches the ring pass from Safrin to Zavien, the instructions ringing in his mind. Someone infected? Immediately his thoughts flash to Ever, now apparently Dahlia's right-hand man. Is that why the Aviator has so dramatically changed? No slideshows involved, just good old fashioned evil corruption bullshit? He glances at Lena, mouthing the name, a questioning frown downturning his brows. "We're need to talk to him anyway," Koa murmurs, leaning in toward the Caretaker. "Might as well see if it works? It'd explain a lot."

It would also mean his friend isn't actually evil, which, in Koa's book, is always a good thing.

koa

code by sky