To Hallowton

[Ayen]

Upon entering Hallowton one would be greeted to many tall, old buildings and a gray brick road where the citizens walked back and forth, some in carriages, dressed in 19th Century style clothing as if from another time altogether and a somewhat clear visible fog covered the city's streets. The inhabitants of the city were friendly and without prejudice. Neither Drake nor Sam would receive any strange stares for their appearance nor would Saturn or Yuna receive any for their choice of attires. Nay, the citizens simply went on about their day normally smiling as they went. It was down right creepy to Ayen.

“All right, here it is. Hallowton. Try to keep out of trouble, although with how the people here act the only ones you may run into trouble with are the refugees.”

He looked over to Drake.

“You may want to steer clear of the Aircano refugees East of the city. They're religious as all out hell and wouldn't take kindly to you. Yuna and I are going to see if there are any ships set to set sail and depending on what you all decide to do you may join us on that voyage. Any questions?”

[shireling]

Sam did a slight double-take at the sight of the strange buildings and even stranger people. They had such wierd clothes on, and they were all smiling happily at nothing in particular. It was somewhat...unnerving. Sam nodded at Ayen's words of instruction before scratching the back of his head at the strange behavior of all the inhabitants. "Well...I suppose that's it's sorta nice that everyone's so happy here..is that normal?" he asked.

[Yuna]

"Yes, it is," chipped in Yuna. "These people are at peace with each other. It's nice..." Yuna wished this for her people. The Great Calm, never having to worry about Sin returning. This is the kind of peace such a wonderful time in their history should bring but in her case, there were always people who would seek to destroy. Not everywhere could be like Hallowton and it saddened her. "Ayen, we should go." Yuna didn't want to risk being seen by one of the people from Crystal City and risk a scene.

[Hotaru]

As can be expected from a soldier called the "Soldier of Silence" Saturn didn't speak during their journey to Hallowton. She remained quiet and most questions thrown her way were answered by either a slight nod or a shake of the head, not finding much reason to actually speak with the others yet. Saturn admired the peace of the city, it reminded her of the Silver Millennium back in her world. The era they called the Silver Millennium. Before it went to hell. It must have if she was awakened. She only was when the need for rebirth became a reality.

"Are we to meet back here after we're through exploring?"

Saturn had her doubts about finding anything that could actually help get her back home so she could fulfill her duty but even if so she'd have no problem meeting up with the others and informing them that they would no longer need to worry about her. For now she waited to see what Ayen had to say.

[Ayen]

"Well...I suppose that's it's sorta nice that everyone's so happy here..is that normal?"

"These people are at peace with each other. It's nice..."

“Yeah. I guess that's one way to look at it.”

"Ayen, we should go."

“All right.”

"Are we to meet back here after we're through exploring?"

“Huh? Oh. Right. Okay, that sounds like a good idea. We'll meet back here in a couple of hours to determine weather or not everyone found what they were looking for and if they'll be joining Yuna and I on the ship.”

Ayen motioned for Yuna to follow and began to lead her towards the Hallowton docks. Once they were out of earshot from the others he spoke.

“Quite the crowd we've gathered on the way here, huh?”

[Yuna]

"I'm used to it." Yuna smiled to herself, remembering all of the times she's spent together with her friends back in Spira. She was happy to be in another group even though it wasn't as large as the previous back in Spira, or Aircano, it was still better than being all by herself. "I enjoy the company. I've been here before but never recalled seeing any docks or ships. Where are they exactly?"

[Hotaru]

And so they separated. Saturn walked off in her own direction now walking down a brick road and looking towards the many buildings and people passing her by. Violet eyes keeping a close watch on anything or anyone that may actually be from her own world but so far nothing. Saturn decided to question some people about this world and the tower but the results were also inconclusive. It appeared that these people were perfectly content living in their own little world where peace and happiness was all that existed. How could anyone be so ignorant and naive? They thought only peace when it was clear by the very frozen wasteland that rested outside their home that peace did not exist in this world.

"Goddess, why have you sent me here? What purpose does it serve?"

[Ayen]

While walking side by side Yuna, Ayen steadily wrapped an arm around her shoulder and held her close as he spoke.

“It's on the other side of Hallowton's entrance a ways off the border. Some times it's easy to miss.”

Hallowton was beautiful at all times of the day, but night was when it flourished most of all and Ayen had every intention of taking advantage of the romantic atmosphere this place generated as a result, smiling towards Yuna.

“Would you like something to eat before we check out the docks? We have plenty of time left and you must be hungry. My treat.”

[Yuna]

Yuna's eyes looked at Ayen's hand on her shoulder. He was doing it again. This time his advance was more innocent compared to that of last time but after Tidus this was the last thing she was ready for. But at the same time she didn't want to hurt his feelings. It was complicated for her but in the end she chose to slide out from under his arm and offer him a warm, albeit weak, smile. "We can eat on the ship. I do not wish to linger here for too long in risk of causing a scene with some of the refugees from Aircano."

[Hotaru]

"You move fast."

Saturn was in front of Ayen and Yuna now, her journey leading her right back to the two that she was led to to begin with. Noting how Ayen had his arm around Yuna not more than two seconds ago before Yuna pulled away from him, a sign of not having any interest but boys never did seem to get that from her experience.

"I've decided questioning crewmen down by the docks would be a wiser investment of my time. These people are kind but sheltered."

Crewmen would have covered a lot more ground meaning they would have seen a lot more people and would remember if they've seen anyone that looked like her around here. After all, who could forget a woman in her outfit?

"I figured I may as well accompany you as our designations are once again one in the same."

[Ayen]

"We can eat on the ship. I do not wish to linger here for too long in risk of causing a scene with some of the refugees from Aircano."

REJECTED!

“R-right. We'll do that.”

"You move fast."

“What?”

Ayen looked over to see Saturn standing in front of them again. It seemed they just couldn't get rid of the girl, even if they both really wanted to. And right now it was just him who wanted to ditch her. Sure, she was cute but the creepy polearm and the fact she put it in his face made her immensely unattractive to the young man.

“So do you apparently,” replied Ayen while crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"I've decided questioning crewmen down by the docks would be a wiser investment of my time. These people are kind but sheltered."

“That's because they have no need to leave Hallowton and travel outside its walls. They evolved to a point where their home is all they need. Don't ask me how that works because I don't know.”

"I figured I may as well accompany you as our designations are once again one in the same."

“Sure, why not?”

Not like he was going to get anywhere with Yuna anytime soon anyway.

[Yuna]

Already Yuna was beginning to feel guilty about her decision to turn him down. It's only dinner... She thought to herself. Knowing that nothing had to come of it and a restaurant was closer. But a part of her couldn't shake off the possibility that Ayen would try to make it more than that. The High Summoner struggled for a bit with her decision but in the end wouldn't have to worry about it as Saturn rejoined with them and she was rather keen on getting to the docks as quickly as possible. "We would like that."

[Hotaru]

"Evolved?"

Saturn looked to the people who passed them by. Neither they nor this city looked to be evolved but then again neither did the people of the Moon Kingdom so she couldn't judge. Upon hearing Ayen and Yuna's agreement she turned back to the pair.

"What are we waiting for then?"

With that, the Soldier of Silence turned around, the butt of her leotard showing underneath her skirt as she began to head off for the docks with them now behind her.

[Ayen]

"We would like that."

Again with the we, thought Ayen.

"Evolved?"

“Yes, evolved. The people here are highly evolved compared to the rest of us. They are not prone to violence or anger. They work solely on knowledge and understanding. It's why they're so peaceful.”

Minus all the demon attacks but who's keeping count?

"What are we waiting for then?"

“Christmas.”

Ayen spoke sarcastically and then he stepped forward, however his walk wouldn't last long as his eyes wandered down Saturn's back and caught a glimpse of what to him looked like a pair of white panties peaking out from underneath her short purple skirt. Blood dripped from his nose and he quickly brought a hand up to cover it as it continued to bleed. Knowing that Yuna was right there next to him in plain sight, Ayen fell over on the ground out of sheer embarrassment.

Bleeding.

[Yuna]

Yuna was about to follow Saturn to the docks until she saw Ayen holding onto his nose. "Ayen? Are you all right?" That answer came when Yuna saw the blood dripping from his nose and then by watching him fall to the ground. "Ayen!" The High Summoner drew her staff and held it over Ayen, a small flash of white light flashed from the tip of the staff as she ran it over above his nose and stopped the bleeding going on there before helping the boy up to his feet. "There. You should be fine now."