And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know

[ofnovalue]

Who: A queen and her knight
What: New arrivals
Where: Melai Temple entrance
When: Before the Brugh begins
Warnings/Notes: None

The journey to the Temple itself had been largely silent, save for Agrias' occasional notes to remain low, to watch her step, or take her hand. Ovelia had been pouring over in her mind, over and over and over again, just what to say to Agrias beyond the simple platitudes of greeting and expressions of happiness that she was safe. But there was so much more to tell, so much more that remained locked away deep within Ovelia's soul, words she found herself too weak willed to even mutter. So instead she remained quiet, passing off her silence simply as watchfulness, a noble in a strange land trusting in her knight to keep her well...

But now they had reached shelter, and apparently found others, she could no longer keep up that pretense. She had to find a new distraction, something to peel her mind away from what she'd left behind. And the Temple provided just that, draping the monarch in its quiet reverie as she wandered past the main entrance and stood within its grand hall.

"Tis as beautiful and yet... more ancient than any holy place standing still in history's Ivalice...," it felt so strangely familiar to her, as if there was a part of her existence that stretched back thousands of eons to touch this hallowed ground before in some spiritual way. Something that seemed to extend even beyond Ivalice's own Great Cataclysm, into truly ancient times. She could feel the presence here of God... but what name this God held was still unknowable to her. And in a soothing way... she didn't have to know their name.

"My thoughts go to Orbonne, and I feel almost as if my prayers would reach them..." she continued wandering into the hall.

[[ feel free to either respond to Ovelia or to Agrias in her top level posted on this post! ]]

Comments

[cleansingstrike]

[Closed to Ovelia]

"Are you certain you'd rather not take a moment of rest, my lady?" Naturally, she was concerned.

Of course she was.

There was Agrias, finally reunited with her charge. While there was initially a great deal of relief, the reality of their situation quickly set in. They'd been sent to a strange and unfamiliar land, cut off from friends and allies while gaining countless new foes. She did not appreciate the expectations that had been forced upon her so suddenly, even less knowing that Her Majesty had been enlisted as well.

Though if saving this land would in turn save Ivalice, then she was bound by duty to assist.

And at the very least, Ovelia had finally been taken away from those that would see her used for personal gain.

Rather, it was the evils she knew that were no longer within reach.


[Open to All]

With Her Majesty requesting some time for herself, Agrias had been left to her own devices. She scouted the area and took the time to get a personal account of the lay of the land. The temple and the grounds surrounding it seemed secure enough, and while not providing much in the way of comfort, there was plenty of room to sit down and rest.

There would be no rest for this knight, however. There was still much to do.

Introductions were in order.

"Well met. My name is Agrias Oaks, knight of the Lionsguard, in service to the kingdom of Ivalice."

[wherenoonegoes]

[Hiccup is sitting in the hall, sketching a picture of the statues with charcoal and parchment. Toothless is curled around behind him.]

Oh, hey. You're definitely new.

[greyerrant]

Another knight watches her from the edges of the temple outbuildings. Clad in a grey chiton, and looking exhausted, his face bruised from some previous unfortunate encounter. He approaches when he hears the words of prayer and says, "I've found often enough that prayers in unknown fanes lead to poor things indeed. But forgive my approach without my name. I am Garviel Loken."

He is also a giant, though one seemingly concerned about her wellbeing, his scarred and bruised face suggesting real concern in an earnest expression.