spira_rp | Will I find something in there to give me just what I need

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Will I find something in there to give me just what I need

There were advantages to having a reputation for being a brat.

For one thing, no one thought that Kadaj might be useful to whatever powerplaying machinations they had on the go. He wasn't important enough to be in anyone's way, and he wasn't significant enough to court. He was just there. Being a brat. He wasn't powerful enough for anyone to worry about him, or even give him much thought.

So when people approached Kadaj they were either really far up a particular infamous creek for allies, or they were just genuinely being nice. Or perhaps curious.

Kadaj wasn't one hundred percent on where the Lucians fell on that spectrum. The stuffy nerd had been working his ass off befriending everyone and anyone that crossed his path. He lived in the kitchen more than Nel, but unlike Nel, seemed to enjoy being there. The guy had missed his calling as a restaurant cook and somehow ended up being sent to make nice with the sort of dickheads Khamja attracted.

The big brawny one had concentrated on making an impression on the girls. Well, it was either effort or the fact he dressed like some lost leather daddy and constantly had his muscles out. He was affable once you got past the rough tough guy look, though. Kadaj kind of liked him.

He was still on the fence about the nerd.

So when Gladio had asked about seeing a summoning, Kadaj hadn't seen reason to refuse. Aeons weren't really a thing on Jylland. Tayuya had been pretty sure that there weren't any Fayths there, and without the War history it sort of figured.

It also gave Kadaj a bit of a chance to show off, and he wasn't about to turn that down.

The underground training facility was nicely deserted, and despite the sand the weather had been set to the 'probably the Calm Lands' setting, so the projected skies were clear, and the wind was low.

Tayuya twirled her flute between her fingers. They'd made sure to leave their audience far enough back that they wouldn't get covered in debris. "Ready?" he asked Tayuya, unsheathing Souba. Working with Even had improved his magical ability, and, not that he was ready to admit it, his tactical acumen, but you had to work with Aeons to improve your bond, just like you did a Zanpakuto.

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"Some of the Fayths prefer people with particular classes, or won't take people with certain classes." He wrinkled his nose. "Some of them won't take men, some won't take Al Bhed, some won't take Selkies, some are picky about Hyur."

Tayuya had books and books and books about the known Aeons and their Fayths. Kadaj had been able to do more of his own reading about them thanks to Even. It wasn't easy, and the letters still swam on the page, but following the words with his finger helped even if it made him feel like a four year old.

A four year old that could read, Even had pointed out. Kadaj hadn't been able to argue.

"What about Phoenix?" he asked, looking at Tayuya. "Barely anyone goes for him, and he likes healers."

Gladio listened. Huh. There were even more Fire options than he'd considered. He'd expected maybe three, but there were at least four which gave Ignis plenty of options. He looked at Ignis when Phoenix was mentioned.

The Aeons might not be a thing on Eos, but the term 'rise like a phoenix' wasn't unknown. It was entirely possible that the Aeons modeled their forms on known animals, or something similar. A fiery bird associated with Fire and Healing certainly made that sound possible, or it could be that the phrase had come about in response to the Aeon, but he doubted it, especially with the lack of informational travel between the continents in the past.

"Where's his Fayth?" He asked.

Tayuya looked thoughtful at the suggestion of Phoenix. He was probably a good bet for a fire elemental healer, although his power range made him less newbie friendly.

"The Fire Cavern," she answered, looking at Gladio. "In Galbadia. It's a big, fiend infested maze, and you need accessories to get through unless you're fire elemental." Which was better than the old fashioned way of doing it, which was trawling another nasty old ruin first to go and find the thing to douse the flames, and then you'd still have the fiends to beat, but at least you could bring your non-fire elemental Guardians. "Between the maze, the monsters, and the fire, he's a pain in the ass to get to, and he's picky to boot. I've never gone for him."

Ignis folded his arms and frowned. "That sounds like a lot of effort for potentially very little reward." Not that the prospect of a maze fazed him, and a fire filled cavern certainly didn't hold any fears for Ignis, but traipsing to Galbadia and petitioning a choosy Fayth might not be a successful venture.

Kadaj grinned. "That's summoning in a nutshell," he said. "It's up to you," he added, with a small shrug. "You could just head for Ifrit and get an Aeon you won't use like most people do, or you could do it the way it's meant to be done and look for an Aeon that fits you and you can build a bond with that'll be there to back you up when you most need it. If you want an Aeon it's worth going about it properly."

And you never knew, maybe after getting his first Aeon Ignis would find the allure of becoming an actual Summoner tempting and make it one of his classes. It would probably be a more popular class if parents didn't take their children along to get an Aeon and let them make their own choices when they were older.

"It might be something to think about," Gladio said, switching back to Lucian.

Ignis certainly had the temperament for it and it wasn't as if one Aeon would cause a shuffling of his Classes. He didn't have much to lose, they'd just have to find an Aeon that suited him. Phoenix sounded ideal, but the remote location and difficult to reach Fayth sounded like it could both be a hindrance to the entire process and also something of a boon, if he managed to get the Aeon on-side. If nothing else, it would allow them to see a little more of the lowerworld, especially since it was a part they wouldn't have visited otherwise.

Ignis looked at Gladio. He had a lot of reservations, some of which he wouldn't say out loud, such as the embarrassment he'd feel if he were to drag everyone out to such an out of the way place only to find he was unworthy of the Fayth. Their time was undoubtedly better spent on other ventures.

But there was such an appeal to it, to the very idea of communing with some centuries old spirit to beg its power. Even just visiting the Fayth, that experience of meeting one, was alluring.

And Phoenix. The name held meaning, and connotations. An Aeon of rebirth and life, a fire elemental that liked healers. It did sound just right for him.

When he did finally speak, it was in Lucian. "You're sure you don't object? You have much more significant people to guard than me."

"Right now, the only thing I have to guard the prince from is his vegetables," Gladio said, his good nature the only thing standing between him and an eyeroll at Noct's expense. "We told them we'd be looking at the lowerworld after the meeting, right? This counts."

He gave a grin. They had planned to have a look around, spend a few weeks, a month or so, looking into the various cities and towns, places of interest, looking at the culture and traditions ... and the less savoury aspects of life. Surely going to a Fayth counted. If they were simply to look, they could find one less out of the way, but if Ignis felt like he could handle one... why not go for one he'd actually use, rather than paying lip service to the tradition?

Ignis's mouth tightened at the mention of Noct and vegetables. He'd have expressed the view that Noct didn't require Gladio to guard him from them on account of his evasion ability against that particular foe being fully mastered.

Gladio, however, seemed all for visiting a Fayth, even if it was one as out of the way as Phoenix. Ignis certainly wished to get out in the Lowerworld, and Gladio was right, they had said they'd be staying to investigate the world a little further.

He looked at Tayuya and Kadaj. "We're likely to require a guide," he said to them, "and I welcome any advice you may have."

Tayuya shrugged, a gesture that was at odds with the spreading grin on her face. "We can take you," she said, "it's an excuse to get out." No one would stop them taking the Lucians out on a Fayth visit. The Palace had always been pretty understanding of the need for Summoners to go on their pilgrimages, with an entourage, and they wouldn't find a better entourage than Skite.

She looked at Gladio, "So are you his Guardian?"

"Was there ever any doubt?" He asked.

Looking at the candidates, it seemed there wouldn't be too much of an issue getting out with people who knew what they were doing. It would help if they had a ship, but if not... he didn't doubt that public transport and the rent of a few chocobos would get them to where they wanted to, sooner or later, at least.

Tayuya flashed Gladio a grin. He was here as the nerd's bodyguard, but being a Guardian meant a bit more than that. She thought it did, anyway. If Grimmjow thought Gladio wasn't taking it seriously enough he'd probably have words.

"We're going to have to get you fireproofed then," she replied. It might be worth picking up accessories for everyone that wasn't immune. They didn't want to lose the Lucians in the caverns after all. That might not go over well.

Kadaj regarded Ignis. Phoenix was probably a good fit for him. If nothing else, Ignis seemed to be taking the seriousness of Summoning to heart, even asking for Tayuya's advice. Tayuya's would probably be more useful to him; she knew the Fayths and their locations better than he did.

"So when do you want to go?" he asked. Grimmjow and Yylfordt would probably jump at it, and they hadn't taken Apache yet, so she might enjoy that.

Not the fire cavern so much. Kadaj would need his own protections to get through there.

Ignis pushed his glasses up and glanced at Gladio, giving him an opportunity to step in before he answered, "I suppose as soon as you're ready to take us." There was nothing to be gained from dithering, after all. He could always study the Fayth and the area on the journey.

Besides, there might be opportunity to stop along the way and sample some local cuisine and culture. He was hardly going to put that off.

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Will I find something in there to give me just what I need

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