The Palace of St. Bevelle

*Zeno sees the party stroll into Guadosalam like they own the place. Luna seems to be hiding behind a new man that he doesn't recognize, with a slight build, shoulder-length black hair, & a white robe stained with blood in some spots. As they lock eyes, Zeno notices that he's an Al Bhed.*

Zephyr adjusts the claymore on his back. He had been practicing with it to adjust to the weight. His old sword was far heavier so he had to learn how to control his swings so as to not over exert his energy. He found it was an ideal weapon for him. "This is your home isn't it Luna?" He looks around, "Its... amazing."

*Hitomi is once again reading, completely ignoring the world around her.*

*A Ronso walks up to them all, Hitomi recognizing him as the Maester from Luca.*

Belias<I wanted to come here, to personally thank you all for putting a stop to my son's rebellious behavior.>

"Wha...oh! You're very--"

Senthose<You mean by killing him? That's a strange thing to thank us for. Did you 2 have a falling out, or something?>

Belias<What business is it of yours?>

"Then you should have this" Zephyr gives Maester Belias Gilgamesh's wakizashi.

*Ark snatches the Wakizashi and glares at them*

Ark: <Nuh-uh.>

*Hitomi looks up from her book to see Ark being stupid*

"(Stupid thief.)"

Belias<It's all right. I don't want it anyway. The past is behind me.>

*Belias turns to walk away.*

Senthose<Gilgamesh talked about secret facilities in the temples where experiments on Sinspawn are carried out. That would explain why he was so dissatisfied with the clergy. But what I can't figure out is why he wouldn't ask you, his own father, for help.>

Belias<...Probably because I refused to hear such nonsense.>

Senthose<Why would the Yevon clergy want to experiment on Sinspawn, anyway? Don't they hate Sin?>

Belias<That's why it's nonsense, Senthose. If anyone would be capable of it, I'd expect it to be you Al Bhed.>

Zephyr moves to restrain Ark just in case but decides not to at the last second.

[Secret testing facilities in the most unoriginal of places? How many times has this been done?]

*She turns a page.*

Ark: <What? We have better stuff to do. Besides, the Al Bhed don't usually mess with Sin. Has been working for us so far.>

Belias<Then we are in agreement. No such facilities exist.>

*Belias heads for the thunder plains.*

"So...the Farplane is here. Anybody have someone they want to see? Zephyr, maybe there's someone waiting for you. I don't think it's blocked by amnesia."

Zephyr looks pensive for a second. "Will you come with?" he asks Luna.

Ark: <I...I think Imma pass.>

*He walks into the inn nearby*

*Noticing everyone's fucked off, Hitomi wanders off looking for a shop.*

"I...don't much care for the Farplane. It's not the same...as having them here with me...I'm just gonna wait over there."

*She dashes off towards the a path that leads downward into a hole. Faint rumbling can be heard beyond it. Senthose walks towards the largest dwelling in the area.*

<Maester Jyscal! I'd like to talk to you, if you please!>

*The guards tense up, but relax when the door opens behind them.*
============================================
*Ark winds up in a small, circular room with a few bed mats. At a circular counter in the center is a bubbly female Guado with green hair.*

<Oh, hello, there! We don't get a lot of visitors. It's 90 Gil a night.>
============================================
*Hitomi enters a small, circular room, half of which is taken up by a counter, behind which is an elderly-looking Guado with blue hair.*

<Good evening. What can I do for you, young lady?>

"Umm..."

*Hitomi stands about looking at the spheres before pointing at one and then another.*

"Drain and Osmose, please."

*Ari looks away, trying to hide his swirly eyes*

Ari: <Uhh--Hi. I'd like a room, please.>

Zephyr is hesitant but he makes his way there.

I'm going to regret this.

*The entrance to the Farplane is in a cave that's reached by a root path over the village. A distance into the cave inside is a flight of stairs that reaches towards a shimmering blue portal.*
=============================================
<A white mage buying black magic? You're either a master or an amateur, I gotta say.>

*He gets the spheres for her.*
==============================================
<Like I said, 90 Gil!>

*She smiles, holding out a hand. Her fingers remind him of daggers.*

*He smiles at her with his eyes closed and hands her 90 Gil before heading inside*

Zephyr descends and stares at the portal... before heading in.

*Hitomi puts the money on the counter and takes the spheres.*

"Thank you."

*She leaves.*

OOC: Ascends.

*Hitomi finds that everyone has fucked right off.*
=========================================
*Ark wakes up a little while later.*
=========================================
*He enters a stone platform overlooking a bizarre landscape in the distance. Mountains, multicolored plants, rivers & waterfalls, & a smoky, brownish atmosphere, giving the appearance of a paradise under the Earth. Pyreflies are floating everywhere. In front of the only Guado there is a shimmering image of an older Guado, who stares at him.*

"So... this is the farplane?"