No Tears This Time (Open)

[leapoffayth.livejournal.com]

Of all the duties of a summoner, the Sending was easily the hardest for Yuna to face. Every time she took up her staff and danced, it meant only one thing: more people had violently died, needlessly died, shouldn't have died, wouldn't have died had an outside source not torn them apart. Left alone to wander the universe with their anger at sudden death intact, their lost souls could coalesce into an even greater threat.

This time, she thought with a painful clench of her heart, she wasn't guiding the souls of a small army's soldiers or the scattered casualties of a ruined town. If their information was to be believed, with the possible exception of her guardians, all Spirans had perished in the Ohm's violent strike. Knowing that meant she was likely the last summoner still living---thus the responsibility for their souls fell to her.

Even as she picked up her staff and walked to the center of the observation deck, standing under the red sky as seen through the window, she had her doubts. Without a Farplane, where would they go? Could her prayers reach them this far away? Could one summoner handle so many souls? A total annihilation of her planet and countless others. It was a daunting task to be sure, but just a small pebble on the long journey awaiting this crew.

No matter what happened, she thought forcefully, she owed it to everyone to give it a try. With a strong enough prayer, they would have a chance at final peace.

Her mind made up, Yuna began her solemn dance. There were no hymns, water columns, or sparkling lights this time: just a girl left alone to mourn the deaths in her own way, the entire overwhelming situation putting her rhythm just slightly off.

When the last of her fervent prayers trailed from her mind past the tip of her staff, invisibly entering the universe, she let the rod clatter to the ground and dropped to her knees. Whispering into the humid air, she willed one last thing to be true.

"I'm sorry, everyone. If there's a way to stop this, even a way to right this wrong...I will. I promise you."

Comments

[leapoffayth.livejournal.com]

"Yes!" Yuna jumped at the opportunity to do something messy. "It's been so long since I've been able to cook for everyone. They always insisted that I should rest and save my strength for the journey ahead."

[memory-hax.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure your cooking is wonderful," assured Phillip with a smile. He was looking forward to doing this with her. It had been a long time since he had been anything remotely domestic himself.

"We'll make a date of it then, when you're more relaxed. And I'll pick you up as well. Speaking of which, have you found a place to rest other than the crew quarters? I know they can be disquieting at first."

[leapoffayth.livejournal.com]

Yuna giggled at his words, looking far happier than before. "Then it's a date."

She tapped her finger to her chin, considering. "I don't mind them. I haven't had a bed of my own for a long time. I usually have a tent if we're well-stocked and a blanket over the forest floor if we're not. Where else do people sleep?"

[memory-hax.livejournal.com]

Nodding, Phillip explained. "There's a few buildings, mostly groups and roommates primarily in the city. While you can stay in the crew quarters, some people have claimed various buildings and opened it up, for people to live and rest in. The city is very large though and people are finding more things every day."

Thinking he added, "Two places I know of are the Outsiders Hotel, with many rooms for claiming, as well as the Bus which has a vast interior despite its small design. There are, of course, other smaller homes, but asking around can help too. And sometimes you'll get invited to stay with someone if they feel you deserve more than a simple place in the crew quarters."

[leapoffayth.livejournal.com]

"I'll take a look down there, but I think I'll be all right. Thank you for your concern, though. I really appreciate it."

Yuna bowed to him once more, marveling at the kindness she was receiving. How wonderful it was to give so freely, yet difficult as well.

[memory-hax.livejournal.com]

"It's no problem, and I'm glad to help out when you need it," offered Phillip as he bowed back politely.

"Feel better, now that you've managed to rest?"

[leapoffayth.livejournal.com]

"I do, Phillip, thank you," Yuna smiled, carefully stretching. What a workout that had been.

"I'll see you soon, right?"

[memory-hax.livejournal.com]

"The same to you. Have a good day Yuna." said Phillip, opening his book and leaning back, re-reading the information on shoopuf. My my, he just had to see this for himself later.