02; audio

[votively]

[The voice is girlish yet masculine in tone, likely belonging to a young boy.]

—ello. My . . . That is, I—

[He's quiet at first, and gaining volume with every word he utters as the direct result of rising confidence, though there's a smidgen of looming awkwardness. It is, after all, a genuine question. This is an unfamiliar environment (with some admittedly . . . different people); it doesn't mean his words mean nothing.]

Is there a church here? It's fine if there isn't. [And as if he's nodding along to the statement:] Any is a place of prayer. However, I'd like to know if there's somewhere more appropriate.

[A beat.]

I have heard that we're all in the same predicament. It should be better this way: the power of teamwork is strong! In times of need, therefore, we should come together as one. There are probably others that know more about this than I do, but . . . [He had to say it. Partly for his own reassurance.]

Thank you. May there be much light and many bonds within your Spiria.

Comments

Video

[surly_chosen]

[It hadn't taken Zelos long to figure out the new form of magitech he'd found in his pocket, though the stupid pink starfish shape he still deems ridiculously tacky. When the video pops up, the young redhead can be seen examining his fingernails benignly.]

I haven't seen a church but if you really need to pray I guess you can pray to me. I'm the Chosen, after all, so apparently the Goddess'll hear it.

[Did you say something about Spiria? Sorry, he spoke over that part because he's way more important than you.]

Video

[votively]

[Calcedny stares at the screen, surprised by the appearance of another boy's portrait. But the words confuse him more, and his nose scrunches up to make that obvious. Despite the words, his tone is more one of befuddlement than anything else.]

What are you talking about? I've never heard of anything like that before.

Video

[surly_chosen]

Never heard of what. Are you stupid? I said I'm the Chosen.

[Everyone's heard of the Chosen. Geeze.]

Video

[votively]

[S, stupid . . . ):]

The Chosen of what?

Video

[surly_chosen]

Of mana! You really are stupid.

Video

[votively]

I—I've never heard of anything like that before! You don't have to call me stupid for it!

[Not completely angry, but there is sure agitation. This is harassment. Harassment!]

Video

[surly_chosen]

Really? Because everyone knows about the Chosen. I'm second only to the king and the pope you know!

[This is getting really annoying. Why doesn't anyone know who he is?!]

Video

[votively]

[What is this about a king?]

King? There aren't any. There's only Her Majesty, Lady Paraiba . . . What are you implying . . . !? And Father never mentioned you!

Video

[surly_chosen]

You're not making any sense. The queen died ages ago, it's just the king now!

[Ugh, seriously, why is he still bothering with this obviously idiotic conversation? Clearly this kid doesn't know anything about anything.

...granted... he hasn't recognized anything since waking up here, so what if he's in an entirely different part of Tethe'alla? But it'd still be ruled by the king and there'd still be the Church of Martel because everyone believes in Martel and so they'd know who he is because he's the Chosen!]

I'm done with you. You're really dumb if you don't understand the facts.

[Hanging up now. If he can figure out how that is. Have a video of Zelos getting frustrated at the SFC.]

[Voice]

[needsmoregreen]

[Hi, Cal, have a 4 year old staring at you]

What's a Spear-e-ah?

[Voice]

[votively]

[Oh, that's . . . a very, very young voice.]

Spiria is that which rules over a living being's mind and spirit. In essence, it's the origin of life.

[Voice]

[needsmoregreen]

[blink blink]

So...what does that mean? So I'm made up of Spear-e-ah?

But I thought I was made up because mommy and daddy loved me a lot! That's what they told me!

[Um.....]

[Voice]

[votively]

[ . . . this child is talking about reproduction . . . ]

That's something else. But we're both right—it was your mother and father who gave you your Spiria, if you'll think of it that way.

[Voice]

[needsmoregreen]

[How will you deal?]

Hm...I wonder why they never told me about it. It seems like a really big thing!

But...it's really hard to understand too.

[Voice]

[votively]

It is. Everyone learns about Spiria at a young age . . . Maybe they'll tell you when you're older.

[Seeing as how he's grown up with the concept, he's having a hard time understanding how it's difficult, however.]

Why do you think it's hard?

Re: [Voice]

[needsmoregreen]

Well...

If it has something to do with your mind and your heart, then it has to be really hard! It's uh....what is it again? ....Com...plex?

[Voice]

[votively]

[Oh. Right, he'll nod sagely at that. Not that Bianca can see.]

It is complicated. But that makes it worth more learning about. You should know and nurture your Spiria—a strong Spiria makes a strong person.

[Video]

[closedcircuit]

I haven't gone looking for one, but if you find one let me know?

What does the last part mean?

[Video]

[votively]

[He takes on a more mirthful tone, though it's slight, confidence boosted by his knowledge in what he shares.]

Of course! What's your name? And is this your first time hearing about Spiria as well? To be frank, it rules the mind and spirit. Emotions have a great sway, and its mere influence is powerful, so bonds strengthen it.

[Video]

[closedcircuit]

I'm Ky.

What sort of bonds?

[Video]

[votively]

My name is Calcedny. And . . . the bonds that are shared between you and others. [He's about to suggest "maybe like friends," but that catches in his throat because, well, he doesn't have friends save one, so he can't really—] Like companionship—and friendship.

[Video]

[closedcircuit]

Oh.

[ And then, with all the earnestness a 12-year-old can muster... ]

I don't have any friends.

[ Or companions, really. There are facts associated with being an orphan whose main concern is being able to be strong enough not just to survive but to help others. ]

[Video]

[votively]

Oh.

[ Like an echo. Then slowly, and assuredly: ]

That's fine. You'll definitely have some . . . even if it's just one, later. And of course, another way is to pray! To strengthen the bond with your deity, so you can protect your faith . . .

[Video]

[closedcircuit]

Oh, I already pray.

[He isn't quite sure what to say about the assurance that he'll have a friend. He has other, more important things to focus on than making friends.]

[Video]

[votively]

That's great.

[Said genuinely. The power of prayer is a strong one, indeed. It must be . . . ]

The deity of this place is different from the Great Winged Whale, but . . . I don't think that's a problem.