Spring Garden Preparations

[wewillwewill]

Who: Elidibus, OTA
Where: Various, Rock Garden for landscape setup.
When: Evening, Quicksand 13 to Quicksand 15
What: Events leading to the Spring Garden Days Quicksand 16 (Platform Day) to Quicksand 18
Warnings: There's no particular warnings other than the possibility of individual character spoilers.


[An announcement over the intercoms goes throughout the train on the evening of Quicksand 13, after everyone's settled post-mission.]

Good day, this is Elidibus. Some of you may recall the brief transformation of the rock garden into a winter day several platforms ago. This coming platform I'm looking to arrange for a spring season change to the same carriage. Last time was a little spontaneous and short notice. This time I would like to ask for help.

One of the major changes is this will last for three days, including the Platform Day. During that time, those willing to help maintain the spring garden will be welcome. Whether by manual labor, organization, a special talent or other contributions. [After all the carriage is only so large and traffic may be regular.] Like last time, the climate, weather and soil will be present, but I'd like to ask some of those talented with the fast growth of plants and trees to lend assistance. Anyone familiar with planning the layout of a seasonal garden in a relatively small space would also be appreciated.

Those who might be interested in preparing food fit for picnic meals, I would like to ask for your help. Though I have a general concept for this seasonal garden event, I would ask you to bring any ideas you have to me. What I've observed on my star may differ from others and anyone should feel welcome to add their ideas. I may also approach some of you but there is no obligation to agree to my requests.

[This is announced over the intercoms. But there will also be signs posted near the public ICPs in each carriage or in a proper obvious place with this message printed on it.

Questions and the OOC prep links!]

Comments

[wewillwewill]

Elidibus studies Pahja while she answers. The importance of her response is measured by how he sets his work aside a moment and really focuses. There's only a brief narrowing of his gaze when she mentions Emet-Selch's true name.

But moreso still when she talks as if she knows his. It seems clear that he most certainly wouldn't take kindly to being called by another name, even if he remembers it.
Yet the Ascian's answer is calm enough when it's his turn to speak.

"It is who he is. Just as I am Elidibus. Just a small part of what it means to accept the charge of a seat on the Convocation of Fourteen."

A soft sigh follows. "But if Emet-Selch thinks nothing of what you call him, I won't say more."

With that he begins to return to the painting of eggs as if it really doesn't matter. Maybe it doesn't; Ascians were rarely bothered by what the mortals thought or did. It could be considered a surprise that Elidibus had bothered to question it at all.

[likeyouknow]

"Just as I am the Warrior of Light?" Pahja offers, leaning forward and resting her chin against her fists. "For all that you have sacrificed," and it is a sacrifice, Pahja knows that. Wouldn't dare say otherwise no matter how ideologically different she is from the Unsundered, from the Convocation, "I feel as if it is important to remember the person that gave themselves up for the mantle. You are still individuals, you were someone before the office. Familiarity shows that."

She won't ask it of Elidibus, however. Not right now.

As for Emet's own opinion on the matter, she shrugs. "Perhaps he enjoys it. Perhaps he has come to the conclusion that I am incorrigible and it would not be worth his effort." Either are likely. But still-- "Might I ask what brought such a question on?"

[wewillwewill]

Ah the title of Warrior of Light. Elidibus closes his eyes, considering his answer. Understandably it's an... interesting question to address. Particularly to the one who founded the entire concept.

"The Warrior of Light. An onus placed on a person or persons through their actions. Perhaps truly accepted. But not always. Are you aware that many Warriors of Light in the history of the Star and its reflections have been a part I played?" It's not as if it's impossible that tale was not related to Pahja after all. There'll be a pause to receive an answer before he continues.

"From my perspective, it's not the same." Yet... he doesn't appear to be speaking condescendingly. "You and yours value the individual despite the weight of your titles and duty. For we of the Convocation, it is our very lives and identity. For as long as we held the seat, that is who we would be." He remembers some of it, now. It's not just a mindless instinct to follow his duty.

"You are not wrong by your society's values. And I'm no stranger to receiving strange overtures from an enemy." By no means is the first time the Warrior of Light acted out of their perceived kindness to Elidibus. "Be careful to reflect if following your value over those of the one you're attempting to honor is the best path for you to take."

Pahja does seem to have some restraint in her actions at least and doesn't appear to be acting maliciously. Still there's reason for the advice. At times, not respecting the values of someone else's ways could end up being cruel. For someone like Elidibus perhaps moreso. For Emet-Selch... well admittedly, the Ascian is not entirely certain. In the end that's between Pahja and the other Unsundered.

What brought on the question? Elidibus opens his eyes again, looking directly at Pahja. "I was curious to understand why you addressed him that way. During our last mission, you seemed mildly dismissive of both Emet-Selch and myself when talking with Tidus. So I sought to gain insight on your manner."

There... is more. An unsolicited act from an enemy returned enough memories for him to understand what his brethren meant to him. Not that his explanation is any less of the truth. Just that Elidibus can't be expected to give a full accounting to Pahja... can he?