Scene #1107:

Owner	Pose
Faruja	Never one to turn down using a contact for Ivalice's benefit, Faruja Senra has gotten enough documentation together in a swift fashion that he can take Kyra off on a little field trip. Perhaps she'll get extra credit for this excursion! The Inquisitor has been relatively vague about his exact reasons, though has promised them to be of 'great interest' to a Galiandan. The place? A grassy plains situated not far outside Eagrose Castle, the domain of the storied Beoulve noble family. There's a small encampment in the otherwise relatively featureless grass, grass, and the occasional wild chocobo: a tiny, wood-walled fortress around a single cavernous opening into the earth. Heat waves wash upwards from the opening. Notably, red-and-gold clad Templar keep an eye upon the area. Otherwise, it's relatively empty, aside from a small building or two that provides the few needs of those residing here. Faruja waits at the entrance, all smiles. Notably, he's come dressed in rather light robes, no doubt due to the cavern below. Should the White Mage take a glance down after meeting with the fuzzy priest? It leads quite a few yards down. The light of molten lava can be seen from within reflected off the rock walls; though it's hard to tell how deep it goes. "Lady Hyral! Lord's blessings upon thee, my Child! Ye hath mine thanks for coming here. Come, we hath something of a journey ahead of us. I pray ye came adequately prepared?" He waves towards the obvious heat. "I desire to learn more of your..." He glances to his fellows of the Church. They offer bows to Kyra and Faruja. There's a quiet 'Lord Inquisitor' and 'Honored Lady' here and there. "...Native beliefs." He says diplomatically. "As well as a matter ye and thine other students may well be most..uniquely suited to offering insight into." There's an arm being offered, as well as a cursory Haste spell.
Kyra Hyral	That Faruja guy seemed like a pretty okay person! A little zealotous-something that actually ran in Kyra's family but wasn't exactly viewed as a positive thing by Kyra at the moment. Still, she readily accepts any and all offers for extraversal exploration, especially if someone serving as a meat shield-er, melee support to that exploration. Having witnessed Faruja fighting in the mines of Titan, she knew he had the muscle. Though it might be a straight up Galianda culture thing that she expects to be attacked when out traveling. It's pretty true too-Random Encounters can strike at any time! Coming to the grassy plains involves a combination of gawking, picture taking, and sunburn for Kyra. Any skin on her that is exposed turns red really, really quickly. "Heya Faruja." she gradually manages a grin. "Please, just Kyra would be fine. And yes!" She hefts a backpack over her shoulder. It clinks ominously. Her chest and torso also seems much bulkier than usual-Faruja would already be familiar with the fact that beneath her moogle hoodie she hides a large number of potions and mixtures. "I /always/ come prepared. Overprepared if I can! Just limited by carrying capacity." The grin slowly drains away. "Beliefs, huh. You mean religions, I take it? I read up a little bit on your Church here after you mentioned it the other day. It does remind me of a few things but there's a lot of variation to be had on Galianda." She peers ahead into the cavern, then takes Faruja's arm, recognizing the time magic immediately. "How much have the other students told you so far? Were you around when Kamon explained where jobs come from?"
Faruja	While monsters are a relatively rare sight this close to civilization, it's likely a good thing; given the recent war, bandits are aplenty. Indeed, any traveler coming to Ivalice is given the warning to be wary of such brigands! Faruja can't help but wince slightly as he notes the sunburn. Only the clink of many a tincture has him /not/ scrounging for some lotion. Ow. Despite his respectful bow, there's some sympathy there. A glance back, as smiles. He waves a hand to the two guards, and they depart. The Inquisitor relaxes just a touch when they're out of earshot. "Kyra, 'tis, then. A rather commonplace desire, however, forgive me if I turn to titles when mine fellows within the Church art near. Protocol, appearances, et cetera." Explains the rat. So much healing has him giving a nod of satisfaction. "Excellent. The Caverns art...mostly tamed. So long as we retain the Lady's favor, and the...well. Best not to get ahead of mineself. Be wary. Only strike at the beings within, monster or sentient, if I do so first. We doth not wish to incur the wrath of the one whom dwells within. She protects her children jealously, as any 'parent'." Comes his words, serious and grave. His single eye stares into Kyra's own pair for a moment, just to emphasize the point. Then he'll simply lead on. "Quite so. If ye wouldst be so kind as to tell me aught of this...'Cosma', was it, and thine world's Church? I am certain ye hath thine own questions. Ask freely. I shall...restrain mineself, for the sake of diplomacy." Smile! There's a crossing of his chest. A promise! An ear perks. "Didst ye now? Impressions?" He asks, curious to get an outsider's point of view. Then, into the caverns they go! For what may feel like a good half an hour, the pair will descend downwards...though it's only at a mild pace even with the Haste spell. Faruja's limp is rather pronounced when he's not abusing float. Seems he's saving his mana today. "Relatively little. I hath only...cursory information gleaned from the document regarding thine world. I was not." Fuzzy ears perk, and a red eye looks towards her with curiousity as he lead-limps along. No real scenery yet, aside from /down/. Though the heat grows increasingly horrid the more one descends. Eventually, it stops growing, barely tolerable to a majority of persons. Faruja bears it stoically, though there's some slight panting to be heard. His kind don't sweat, after all.
Kyra Hyral	If anything this cavern gets her a chance to get away from the INFERNAL SUNBIRD-er, Sunstar. Most other worlds had stars that did not move, apparently. Very unusual! Kyra at least thanks those who are offering lotion because that's what you do when you get healed by people. You thank them! "I don't have any ranking in your church, though, so they shouldn't have to worry about me getting addressed by a title or anything." She points out, not entirely to thrilled at being referred to as 'Hyral' in any capacity. Pausing to stare back at Faruja she adds, after a moment of awkward stare-induced silence. "Lady? Who is down there...?" Into the caves they go. Kyra is actually silent for a moment as she considers how to answer Faruja's questions. She could knock out two birds with one stone, no? "Yours..Glabadosian, right? It does remind me of Cosma in several ways. It's monotheistic and it's got a sacrifice theme to it. Only Cosmos did not have a savior. There is nobody who can claim to speak for Cosmos because she no longer exists, I guess. Sort of. Well...let me back this up." Unfortunately for Faruja, Kyra does sweat. As they go down deeper, she unzips her hoodie. Then takes it off and carries it under an arm. It doesn't seem to help. "Cosmos was the creatrix. She made creations. Opposite to her was Chaos, who destroyed her creations in increasingly elaborate ways. There came a time where Chaos confronted Cosmos to destroy her directly and halt creation forevermore. He almost succeeded and gave her a wound that would not heal. Cosmos was dying." She fans herself from the heat. "So Cosmos sacrificed herself to create the First Gods to fight Chaos in her place and the reality that would become Galianda, the battlefield of the Chaos War. At least that's how one version of it goes. The interpretation that the Cosma Naturalis church follows is that Cosmos's sacrifice created Galianda and the Humes upon it period. Anything about the plates being made from First Gods and Second Gods existing is disregarded as..." she holds up her hands to make quotation marks, "'Hersey'. You following me, Faruja?"
Faruja	Faruja only smiles wider, in a vaguely teasing way. "Now, now! Patience is a virtue, Kyra!" He spouts off, tail flicking in amusement. This one may well enjoy his drama. There's a small nod at the mention of his religion. His gaze hardly wanders from Kyra as they walk, the rat by now well acquainted with getting there. He could probably teleport at this point, but he'd not risk to insult its denizens. When they finally enter the cavern proper, it's a sight to behold; over a massive outcropping of rock stretches an utterly massive bridge of stone. Parts of it show recent work, as if its been repaired recently. If one looks closely? There are scarrs, as if creatures have been marring the thick stone. Below, a patchwork of molten lava, and obsidian can be seen, flowing downwards into the earth. Bombs, red and grey alike, float lazily. Lizard-like monsters can barely be picked out on obsidian outcroppings, and spider-like creatures peer down at the pair from above and at the sides of the utterly massive bridge. Faruja doesn't even look at the majority, though he pauses a moment to let Kyra take it all in, and perhaps snap a few pictures. In the distance, it'd be hard to miss the building. Stone and what might be gold plating depicting images of /something/ shine in the distance. It might appear akin to one of the churches in Ivalice, though on a grander scale. There's a road of equal amounts stone, and flattened obsidian where the deep valley of lava below folds up towards another outcropping of rock. A lake of lava surrounds the building and much of the rock outcropping before falling below on the other side as a literal lavafall. This particular lava seems to stir. Faruja refreshes their spells, and picks up the pace with some effort. By now? He's parting his robes to the fur slightly. "Thine....deity is dead?" Whispers the rat, a shiver running through him despite the hellish heat. It takes him a minute to work up the ability to respond. "Heresy. I am well acquainted." A bow. He'll keep that in mind. "Then, how is this theory tolerated? Is there nay Inquisition to ensure deviancy from Divine Law?" He questions, a scowl coming to his muzzle. "And what of these so-called 'jobs'?" They'll reach the other side of the bridge in some time, though the rat pauses by the lake of fire as a pair of eyes peer out. The rat kneels. "Peace, honored Guardian. The Lady and I seek to petition the honored spirit." There's a deep rumble beneath the lake of fire, and Faruja once more leads on. Perhaps, the images on the front doors of the great church may well be familiar: a giant flaming bird. "Welcome to the sanctuary of the Esper of Rebirth, Phoenix." Then, he's opening the doors with a swift gravity spell.
Kyra Hyral	"Oh ugh, let's not get into the virtues-oh wait you're talking about something else." Though that was definitely a subject Kyra would have to bring up if she was talking about Cosma. Eventually. As they walk, Kyra brings out what looks to be a fancy computer tablet which has a camera built into it. The other students back at the Academy really loved getting footage of other worlds...even if this footage was sort of looking like deep inside Titan-at least up until the impressive cathedral deep within. (Some of the monsters down there even look the same. Kyra gets a picture of some EXTRAVERSAL BOMBS.) "Cosmos is dead but her legacy is not, so it's said. Through her sacrifice, she became life itself and remains within almost every living thing. ...I say almost because most interpretations of Cosma will call monsters spawns of Chaos. There are only a few that dare to say that even monsters have Cosmos within them...Cosma Gentilis comes to mind." The way Kyra speaks sounds carefully neutral with the barest hint of anger. The recitation comes easily enough to her, having had all this stuff drilled into her from a very, very young age. "She died to give us life." Though that is spoken as if it is a very normal concept to Kyra. What, your gods don't eventually sacrifice themselves for a greater good? Really??? "Inquisition? Oh, we have those, sure. But they can't do as much damage as they have in the past unless they somehow own, say, a dome on Ifrit or Shiva. Even then, there would have to be a supersaturation of one particular Cosma sect to pull it off oldschool style. You know, with the days-long interrogations and confessions sorts of stuff. That gets frowned upon in Galianda and doesn't help recruitment into the Faith all that much, turns out." Yeah, the scowling goes unnoticed for the moment and Kyra doesn't realize what she's said until after she's said it. Didn't this particular Church have a deviancy-punishing Inquisition Squad? "Jobs. They're what you are. Like you would be an Inquisitor or Templar. The legend goes that jobs were created to put power in the hands of Humes to fight Chaos by turning his greatest strength-overwhelming numbers-against him. Through the jobs, the magical patterns grow inside you and become stronger as you practice through them. So by fighting Chaos's monsters, Humes became stronger and stronger. Again, it's just a story. Humes have created new patterns and new Jobs, like the Judge, so I'm not sure how much it shows up. I've done some studies on the heredity of the patterns and-what is..." Her words are immediately distracted by eyes peering out of the lava. Eyes that Faruja greets and receives a response. Taking note of the front doors of the church, Kyra immediately takes another picture. "Phoenix! Wow, an extraversal version of Phoenix!" Now Kyra seems SUPER EXCITED.
Faruja	Faruja tilts his head slightly in interest, but lets the potential question slip by. There's far more important things to discuss. Such as dead deities. "How very martyr-like." Is all he manages amidst a twitch of indignation. His grip on his cane is tight as he tries to hold back several comments that surely wouldn't go over well. He'll eventually manage to latch onto some of her more interesting ideas. "...Curious. Then I shall be certain to not summon the Sisters amongst this world's faithful...ahh, yes: I refer to a trio of lamia I hath befriended and welcomed into the Church. These 'Cosma Gentilis' faction, however, art interesting." Pause. He looks at Kyra. "Might I inquire as to which ye fall into? Doth these various splinter groups act as a unified Church, or as seperate entities?" He, thankfully, doesn't try to preach otherwise to Kyra. Here, Faruja actually smiles as his question is answered. "Ahh. Weak and fractured." The rat tries to not look /too/ predatory here. Cue his interest. "Most curious! Wholistic magery granting the skills we of Ivalice practice more...piecemeal. Though I suppose 'tis not /that/ different. Instead of patterns, Ivalice simply groups certain skills, be they magery or martial, into appropriate callings for ease of indentification." Pause. "Though there art some exceptions. Summoners, for example, require certain inborn traits. Is the Summoning Art still alive in thine world? Shiva certainly was able to exist in Galianda. I wouldst assume the same for the other Espers of mine own." Then, Faruja opens the doors. "'Tis merely the guardian of this place. Come, let us greet the Lady herself." The inside of the Church is large, filled with images of Phoenix in oranges and golds, as well as other ajoran paintings. In the middle is a large, bronze dias shaped into something of a nest. At first, it's empty. Then, as soon as the pair approach, fire bursts alive as the form of Phoenix settles in. Slightly ethereal, she's very much the shape of a firebird of legend, flapping her wings as phoenix pinions shed lightly to the bottom of the bronze nest. Though her flames give off warmth, it's gentle, and the entire area suddenly seems devoid of its previous oppressive heat. Phoenix seems to shrink slightly, as if trying to make herself less intimidating in stature. Gentle orange eyes settle first upon Faruja, then to Kyra. "Summoner Senra. At this rate, I shall need to install a kitchen and guest bedroom!" Comes a slightly teasing voice, which visibly catches the rat off guard. He blushes, flicks his ears, and looks utterly flustered. Before he can get /too/ out of sorts, she reaches down with a wing to straighten him a touch. "I shall teach you to relax, Faruja Senra, before it kills you." There's a slightly more stern voice, here, as if a mother chiding a child. Then, she fully focuses on Kyra. "And who is this? You do not carry an Ivalician's spirit. Another friend of Faruja's? He always brings me the most curious petitioners. What is your name, little one? Fear not, I will not harm you." There's the tip of a wing offered to Kyra, phoenix's eyes sparkling as she notes the woman's excitement.
Kyra Hyral	"Self sacrifice is a virtue of Cosma." Kyra notes as if it were such a natural thing to have in a religion. Indeed, Galianda itself was built off of sacrifice and it seems odd that anything could come to be any other way. "-oh, yeah, lamias...that's...that's a good idea. Those are some pretty dangerous Random Encounters where we're from. I'm kind of worried that eventually some extraversal is going to get killed on Galianda due to a case of mistaken identity." Faruja asks which sect of Cosma Kyra herself subscribes to. She smiles thinly. "My family is filled with hardcore Cosma Naturalis. I, however, no longer follow any kind of Cosma. Right now, I woship the Divine Diablos, the Dark Prince." She is damn well not afraid to admit this either, even in the face of Faruja's zealotry. But back to more exciting things: Jobs! "Some people fill the patterns for certain jobs easier than others. Like those from Odin seem to favor towards the fighter-types. We do have summoners and they too are usually certain family groups. There are always exceptions though." Then, the moment that Kyra was honestly not expecting: seeing Phoenix herself. As the fire forms into the familiar shape of what Kyra more commonly knows as 'the sun', she holds up her mogpad and records the whole thing. "Whoaaaaaaaah!!!" She's even more impressed that she's not immediately melting into a pile of flesh, which is what she assumed happens if you got too close to a supernatural bird made of fire. "He-er, she talks??" She records the whole thing, including Phoenix being a mother hen at Faruja-which is hilarious. She seems too dumbfounded to answer when Phoenix turns her head her way, staring in silence before lowering the mogPad. "I'm Kyra Hyral, student of Alexander Academy of Galianda." she finally says once she gets her tongue working, her eyes wide. The tip of the wing reaches out and Kyra reaches out with her hand to touch it, still amazed she's not BURSTING INTO FLAMES. "...I can /touch/ you..." she says in awe.
Faruja	Faruja's warm nature weakens a touch. There's concern in his eye. "Quite. 'Tis almost an inevitability, so much as 'tis shaming to admit. Diplomacy may only do so much. One single nezumi such as mineself, a lamia, an elf of another land...we cannot wholly guard against a single person of non-hume flesh being mistaken for a murderous wretch." Faruja crosses himself solemnly. "There is one, a 'Landon al Cid'? I wouldst suggest ye reach to such men of rank." The rat all but spits out the term 'rank' in disdain, before trying to look a touch more open. "To best ward against such. Impossible to guard against, however, one must delay such a tragedy as they art able." Suggests the rat. Faruja's head tilts. A blink. "...Well then." Perhaps he can find an ally here. Still... "Diabolos? Such an Esper is not known to me. Wouldst ye describe this God-Servant?" Asks the rat curiously. Faruja's brow twitches at the mere name of Odin, but he still manages a smile. "Then talent remains...oh? I see. I must seek out a fellow Summoner then." States the rat lightly. No doubt, true secrets are kept amongst their kind. Pardon Faruja while he just leans back and watches with slight amusement by now. His wounded proud is utterly ignored as he notes the pure interest of Kyra. Phoenix simply laughs, a warm, radiant chuckle. "You can, Kyra Hyral of Galianda. An outworlder, with no affinity for flame. No wonder. Regardless, you are welcome here, for yours is a worthy soul. Tell me, what do you desire of your world?" Asks the Esper gently. There's a look between rat and phoenix. With a bow, Faruja retires to the edge of the building for a moment. A wall of flame erupts between Kyra and Faruja, cutting her off from the Summoner. Seems rat and bird know when privacy is needed!
Kyra Hyral	"Yeah." Kyra looks worried, knowing what she does about Galianda's politics and the sort of stir that the appreance of the warp gate has caused amongst some of the continents. "Naturally some people are unhappy with the Gate, period. I've also heard rumors of some amongst the Church Naturalis that reject the outer worlds as a plot by Chaos to lead the people of Galianda astray. I'm hoping this extreme point of view doesn't catch on!" But...if it did amongst her family, Kyra's venturing out into the worlds beyond would be a great way to anger her parents! A laugh escapes the white mage. "Oh, I know the Prince. He's actually a member of the Light Warriors. I'm...hm, I doubt he's admitted that much to the Union yet. All of the students in the Union from our school are part of our extracurricular club. But I'm sure Landon would have joined the Union for political reasons too. Ramuh is being progressive with this issue as expected..." Kyra's head tilts a little as she spots Faruja's reaction to the name Odin. After a moment of thought she thinks the anger stems from the Primal currently roaming the multiverse. Perhaps he had a bad encounter with him? "Diablos is a Second God, the Dark Prince, and patron of schemers. As the legend goes, he was a part of Chaos that was cleaved off when Odin struck him, making him son of both Chaos and Odin. Diablos has no allegiance to Chaos, however, and will not follow his whims. That being said, I could track down a Galiandan summoner for you to talk to if you are that curious. I'd be very interested in seeing how the two types of magic compare between our worlds." Her wide-eyed awe at Phoenix is further deepened when Phoenix asks her of what her desires are for her world. "Wha...desire of my world? Are you offering me a boon for my world, Phoenix?" she had to confirm this, just to be sure.
Faruja	"Such views art doomed to utter failure and humiliation. A few amongst the ajoran faith declared the warpgates 'temptation of the Lucavi'. True in a few cases, admittedly. But more miracle than Heresy. If thine world's Church seeks to survie, they shall learn this lesson." Faruja manages to remain somewhat neutral here. Seeing a sudden lack of faith would be a void he'd jump on without shame. A hand rubs his head. "'Light Warriors'. Such a title! So I hath been told. The other nations seem far more divided from what I gathered. Curious, to see what shall come. They cannot remain isolated. Such breeds destruction." Another curious, sudden frown. Regret, here, rather than anger. Faruja is silent. After a while, he speaks. "...Another fallen angel? Sad. Sad indeed. Yes, please, do so my Lady. I wouldst be most curious to compare, and mayhaps improve, mine own talents. Old creeping feeling of inadequacy ever knocks at mine doorstep." Phoenix may not physically smile (hard to do with a beak!). But she does flap her wings, and seems all the warmer. "I cannot offer you a true boon. It is beyond my task set upon this world, and others. My true task is here. However...what I may offer is the means to strengthen yourself against that which you hold dear. The same as I offer to those in Ivalice. A measure for a well-earned reward. Just...do not tell the Summoner that. He shall be most displeased of a lack of piety." There's a /giggle/ from the Phoenix, amusement in her eyes. "Work for the good of any world is rewarded, I believe." Finishes the Esper.
Kyra Hyral	"Hah, well, it's good to know we aren't the first to have religious nuts name the warp gates tools of evil." Kyra laughs lightheartedly, "They'll learn that lesson or perish in obscurity!" Kyra declares. "Or rather the sect would wither and die. It's happened to some before for all sorts of reasons. Everyone seems to have an opion on the right way to worship Cosmos." Casually, she shrugs, remaining oblivious to Faruja's general twitchiness at Kyra's casual words. "The Light Warriors are on the case. So far we've been able to show them we're just as powerful as most of them are which has put tensions at ease a little bit." But more importantly: MAGICAL BIRDY TIME. "It'll be our little secret." Kyra giggles back at the Phoenix. "A means to strengthen...hmm. What could you..." Kyra looks thoughtful, "..aha! Is it possible for you to confer some measure of fire resistance?" she asks.
Faruja	Faruja, oddly, chuckles at her 'irreverant' words. Kyra fits nicely into 'opportunity' for a good Ajoran. "...The good Lord is known by many a name amongst the Ajoran faithful. God. Faram. 'Allah' in a few isolated sects. A lesson thine world aught remember." Smile. The Inquisitor shakes his head sadly. To toss aside potential faithful is a travesty. A raised brow. "I shall remember this name." Curiousity ho! Perhaps a multiversal exploration group? Phoenix leans in. "...And to what end would you use such resistance? Already seeking a reward so eagerly?" An eye-smile. "Follow the Summoner. He seeks to end the pain inflicted upon me by mortals such as yourself. Prove yourself better than they, and perhaps, you shall be worthy of such a thing. Witness his folly or success. Greed first, or deed, Kyra Hyral? Which is more important?" A wink, and then, the flames fade. Faruja stands. Phoenix nods. Faruja smiles. "...Good enough? Well then. Lady Hyral. A corrupt member of mine calling hath attempted blasphemy upon the Lady Phoenix. Care to end the lingering taint?" Grin.
Kyra Hyral	For this, Kyra comes at it from a less harmonious standpoint. She doesn't expect followers of Cosma to accept other beliefs. But if one monotheistic practitioner sees an ally in another...well, Kyra will be in for quite a surprise later. One of the other key virtues of Cosma is harmony, after all. Then, she is put on the spot for her request and reddens a little. Maybe that wasn't exactly the answer she was looking for in regards to...advantages? Nonetheless, she owns the bed she's made: "Anything that can make me more durable means I can last a little longer on the field and help more of my comrades. I'm not a frontline fighter but healers are often targeted. The longer I can last, the more effectively I can heal those in need." A wry smile crosses her face and Kyra nods. "I honestly wasn't expecting to come in here and receive a boon without having to work for it. Though at the same time, I wasn't about to fall to your feet and cry that I wasn't worthy. I figure your friend in the lava would have taken care of me if I wasn't worthy. But I promise I'll show you that I can earn this boon.!" She grins, drawing herself up to be 'tall' (it does nothing, really). No longer cut off from Faruja, Kyra turns to the Inquisitor as he's permitted to rejoin them. "Whaaat? Someone tried to taint Phoenix here? How could that even be possible? Hah, of course I'll help you." It'd provide the perfect opportunity to prove herself to Phoenix. Not to mention she was also extremely curious as to how a mortal corrupts a Divine.