Quoted By:
-
You'd asked Lucky if he thought Arledge might be in the giant mess of evacuated people, and he scoffed and said something about the man refusing to go with the crowd. You stroll instead through the eerily empty grounds, passing a pop-up children's puppet theater (the show: "HOW THE WORLD WAS MADE"), a corral containing 4-legged animals you only dimly recognize, an unstaffed sign-up booth for the kite competition— was Godsday <span class="mu-i">this</span> comprehensive in life? Or is it, like Us, an amalgam? You guess it doesn't matter. The only reason you don't stop to pat the little furry horned thing is Lucky's judgmental eyebrow.
Ironically, your wandering gets less aimless when you shut your eyes, spin in a circle, and march off wherever you pointed. (Works every time.) The terrain change gives you an idea of where you're headed, but you remain resolutely blinded until your Heroic Intuition informs you you've arrived, and also Gil elbows you.
You've headed back up the hill, past Temple Falls— you've made it all the way to the temple proper. It's elaborately carved and tiled in what looks like mother-of-pearl and coral, and you'd be extremely tempted to model it if that wouldn't be blasphemous. There's a number of people gaggled outside it (fire refugees? nosy onlookers?), all of whom you're forced to ignore as Gil leads you and Lucky up to the temple's wide-open doors.
"Sorry, friends," says a coiffed blue-robed woman (stationed strategically just inside). "While the Eight smile upon your enthusiasm, we're still preparing. May I suggest you enjoy some— hey!" Gil's ducked under her outstretched arm and is hastening inside. "Sir! We are not yet open to the—!"
You take advantage of her confusion by darting in too. (Lucky remains pointedly in place.) "That's him," Gil says, and points out a scarred blue-robed man— he must know something you don't, because you see nothing special. But whatever. You watch curiously as he hustles over and grabs the man's hand. Blue light flashes out for an instant—
—and Gil, hand on the man's shoulder, is leading him back to you. "Hi, Charlotte," Arledge says. "How have things been going for you?"
You glance at Gil. "...Well? You're a <span class="mu-i">priest?</span>"
"Something like that. It's quite the honor." His lips quirk. "I would've liked to linger here, were it feasible. Alas."
You would've liked to make a backhanded comment about pagans or some such, but find yourself agreeing, however mildly, with the sentiment. "That's life," Gil says.
"So it is. Nice... snake, by the way." Arledge's blue-ringed eyes meet yours. "Kill it yourself?"
(Choices next.)
