The Meager (Open)

[valiantsword.livejournal.com]

Characters: Ramza Beoulve & Whomever crosses his path.
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: Traveling from Figaro to Lindblum in search of the stones, Ramza indulges himself with some sight-seeing.
Location: Lindblum
Date: July 14th, 1804
Warnings: N/A


Ramza roamed along the streets of Lindblum in silence, weary after venturing across the land by chocobo. He didn’t have enough money to afford a one way trip from Figaro to Lindblum, so once he reached Mysidia, Ramza had to rely upon chocobo for the rest of the journey. While his quest was quite arduous, Ramza didn’t mind it much. He preferred forging through reed and bush more so than spending his days toiling away under the domineering Figaro sun. South Figaro is a beautiful kingdom, but Ramza became bored of its horizon quite quickly. Not even Figaro’s endless beauty could keep him tethered there for long, thus he sought for Delita within the grand city of Lindblum.

After their brief discussion via skyphone, the sellsword decided it was time for them to meet. If the auracite is truly present within Gaia, this means that their search for it begins now. Ramza had hoped for Reis’ sake that they could find the zodiac stones in order to cure her curse but he figured it would be realistic to rely upon the aid of a shaman instead. Almost damning himself for wishing such ill to befall upon Gaia, Ramza hoped that he could collect the stones before others were lured by their celestial glow.

“Pardon me, sir, but do you know where---" His words were cut short once the passerby brushed him off. Letting out an indignant sigh, Ramza figured he could navigate his way through this enormous metropolis on his own. He gently pulled on the leather reins of his chocobo, guiding the bird through the crowded streets as he walked. The city was magnificent to behold, truly a splendorous feast for the eyes. Lindblum minded him vaguely of the Royal City of Lesalia.

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[valiantsword.livejournal.com]

The city of Lindblum was simply fascinating to behold, but Ramza truly had no time for sightseeing. He was a man on a mission, the auracite needed to be found before others came searching for their power. Ramza knew that the Knights Templar were worlds away but judging how quickly Gaia changes its’ current, how could he be sure that Folmarv wouldn’t show his face here? The young Beoulve couldn’t allow himself to be coddled by the belief that all was well. Reis needed the stone of Cancer in order to cure her blight, and Ramza definitely needed peace of mind.

Finding a suitable stable to leave Boco within, Ramza patted the bird one last time before turning to brave the crowded streets. It was then that he spotted a familiar face amongst the crowd. “Delita!” His eyes were round. “'Tis you! I am glad to see you are well.” Ramza smiled at him.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita crossed the distance to his childhood friend. "Not much time has passed since last we spoke. I can but guess that your haste relates to the stones." Looking off into the distance, Delita pauses before continuing, "You may be assured that none other have surfaced that mine eyes hath seen."

He begins slowly walking down the street encouraging the young Beoulve to follow. "Your search is extremely vigilant. 'Tis wonder that bids me ask the nature of this haste upon which you search."

[valiantsword.livejournal.com]

The need for haste hadn’t slowed the sellsword a bit. He hurried to Lindblum upon steed in hopes of seeking for the friend who now stands before him. Hurried to seek his answers, Ramza does follow to walk beside the friend he once knew so well. Delita carries himself in the same manner as before, masked in steely grace. “I ask of you to wonder why I should linger so idly by as the stones bless feeble hands with wicked might.” His greatest fear; the stones clutched to breast by impure knaves who seek a fool’s reward.

Returning his gaze to the streets ahead, Ramza spoke. “If nothing other than to prevent perversion, I seek the auracite for the sake of another. A maiden doomed by dark magicks has fallen to a curse so fiendish that only the Stone of Cancer can cure.”

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita looked upon his friend with an eye towards suspicion. "Is your desire for the stones as pure as you relate? Many before you have sought their power for less noble reasons."

He would non the less keep his eyes looking for the stones. It was unpardonable should this Garland obtain the power locked within, yet whether a stone found be given to his friend depended in part to the man's response.

[valiantsword.livejournal.com]

It was then that a frown found its way upon Ramza's face. "Do you think of me as so crass to yearn for the auracite's power for my own wishes?" He shook his head at the accusation. "No, I do not seek it for myself. I have never sought for the auracite for my own wishes, Delita. There is nothing those stones could ever give me, but that have taken much from me." First Alma, then his brothers, then Ivalice itself; the stones have taken so much from Ramza, it was truly heartbreaking.

"Far too many have died in search of their power; I merely wish to do away with them in truth." If there is a way to destroy the auracite, then so be it. Ramza plans to free Reis from her curse, but afterward he wants to destroy the gems.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita raised his eyes at his friend's folly. "You think to destroy these stones? Were it so simple, do you not believe one before us would have obtained the desired results?"

Lest Ramza forget, Delita had all of importance taken from him due in part to the stones. He would allow none to take what little he had left. "The stones' power far outclass our own. Should we relent, our destruction is certain." He kept his eyes upon his friend, for there was more than he was to understand.

[valiantsword.livejournal.com]

As he listened to Delita, a sense of futility began to overwhelm him. If the stones could not be destroyed, then the horrors that happened yesteryear shall happen once more. How could anyone stand idly and allow this to unfold without even attempting to destroy the very source of the problem? The stones are dangerous; Delita and he knew this well enough.

"Then what do you suggest?" Ramza asked with such sternness in his tone. "Should we merely hide the stones until another finds them? Had we not has enough of these games? The holy stones are not so holy as the Church claims."

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita knew that look well from their childhood. It mattered not to him whether the stones were destroyed, only that he regained control over them. "So long as none recognize the power behind the stones, their strength will remain safely hidden."

The knowledge that the church is not holy as it proclaims is rooted within himself, yet he knew better than to cross the church as their control was strong. "You would do well to remain peaceful against their leadership. Their power can reach even unto this new land."