[doHTML]<center><div style="width: 440px; text-align: justify">Absent-mindedly Rinoa found herself clutching the ring hanging around her neck on a chain. Even if she were hard pressed to say how long she had been clutching it like that she wouldn't be able to come up with a solid answer. Time was no longer flowing as she thought it was before. Instead Rinoa felt clumps slipping by in a breath's time and others dragging like they'd never end. Throughout it all she couldn't get her mind off of the meeting she had with Squall in the Macalania Woods. Sometimes she even thought it was a dream until she looked down to the ring she wore and really observed it's solidity.<br><br>

'Squall...'<br><br>

After a moment she reluctantly tore her gaze away from the ring and looked instead to the temple before her. Macalania temple especially was a beautiful and interesting sight, yet she feared it. Insecurities and doubts plagued her about temples, especially ones so close to home. If she failed to become a Summoner then she would never be able to face that man again. The guilt would consume her. Not where it concerned her father's wishes as much as being unable to do what so many others seemingly could.<br><br>

Rinoa wanted to be strong and put an end to all of this suffering and oppression by Sin, but if she couldn't convince a Fayth... Somehow that only seemed more terrifying now that she had met someone willing to be her guardian. If in the end Rinoa couldn't actually be a fully fledged Summoner then would she had any reason to find Squall again? Even if she found some reason, what if he wasn't even interested because what he had offered was of course only guardianship. The young woman felt her weak knees want to give out, but she remained strong- as strong as she could be.<br><br>

It would all turn out okay! Rinoa smiled weakly and kept telling herself that. With that smile on her face and this temple before her things were going to turn out alright. Because Squall had given her this ring and because the Forest Owls were counting on her to be alright. Maybe even she just wanted to be alright, for herself. The first step towards the temple was a little forced, but after that it got easier. Partially because the chill was working on her as well and staying out in the cold dressed like she was would have only made things spectacurifically not okay.<br><br>

Once she was within the temple, Rinoa felt all the more conflicted. It was quiet other than the soft hum of hymns being sung and an air of peacefulness hung thickly about her. This place that was so her enemy in this moment was also a sanctuary for others. A safe haven where they could be closest to their religion and hope for better days. Partially Rinoa wanted to leave right then, but she stayed because she knew she had to. The journey she had been putting off since meeting Squall had to start soon, even if she didn't see him again.<br><br>

The thought of not seeing him again plucked her heartstrings so violently she swore she might collapse. Practically exuding her nervous energy even with the smile on her face, Rinoa scurried to a quiet corner of the temple to rest a moment and think. The young woman sat down before one of the statues and pulled her knees close to her chest. It probably wasn't very proper of her, but Rinoa needed time to think and it was better to do as much within the temple than to get lost in Macalania Woods again.<br><br>

Her breath was coming slowly now and she tried so hard to figure out what was best at this point. If she went through the trial without a guardian she could fail, but if she spent too much time searching for Squall she might loose her nerve. And even with that man by her side there was still a chance for failure, and thus a chance to make a real fool of herself. Rinoa's head slipped down to her knees and she closed her eyes with a deep frown. Even a lifetime of training for this could not have made it any less difficult.<br><br>

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Sitting in this temple was getting really boring. No summoners had passed through lately, and the one's that had all looked ...too serious. Sure, they were on a very important mission, it wasn't somthing to take lightly, they had to be serious about their prayers, and all of that. But still... It was their last journey. They were traveling around all of Spira, seeing things others don't get the chance to see! They could at least enjoy their final voyage, to try and enjoy their last moments with the ones they'd picked to make this trip with them as gaurdians.

They should try to have fun! Smile, laugh, enjoy their pilgrimage. Its the last thing they're going to do with the people they love after all. selphie was determined to find a summoner she could travel with, and when she found them, to make sure their final journey was one full of laughter and cheer. A super duper happy journey, where the final destination was a far off thought, the last thing they were thinking about. At least until the moment came. And then, they'd take Sin out with a great big bang! But of course, before she could be the guardian who kept the summoners spirits up, shed have to find herself a summoner to protect. It was really challenging to find a person shed protect. Brooding over her lack of options, Selphie fiddled with some of the things in the room she was staying in. This was absolutely the most boringest thing she has ever done. Ever.

From the small room, the brunette heard the sounds of the temple doors opening. Curiously, she scooted over to the door, creaking it open to peek out. She couldn't see the person who entered very clearly, so she pushed the door a open a little wider, poking her head further into the silent room. Looking around a bit, she grinned when she spotted another young girl in the temple. Waaaaay across the main room, a girl with dark hair crouched and sat on the floor.

Ooh, who is that?

A pout formed on Selphie's face as she noticed the girl looked sad. Sad and alone. She pulled her head back into her room, tapping a finger against her chin. She smiled. She would go and talk to the girl! She didn't have to be all alone and sad and stuff. No siree shed go brighten this girl right up! With a cheerful grin, Selphie pushed her way through the door and headed towards the girl. Almost nervously, Selphie looked at all the statues around the room. They were really creepy, staring out with soulless eyes. She shook her head, these were High Summoners, and they had to be respected and revered. She fumbled her way through the prayer motions before she smiled.

"Heeeeeey!" Waving, she skipped her way across the temple's main room.

With a small little hop, Selphie stopped in front of the girl, her hands clasped together behind her back as she grinned. Now that she was closer, the brunette took a better look at the temples most recent visitor. She was really, really pretty! She certainly didn't look mean or grouchy. Maybe she only looked sad because she needed a friend. "Hi!" She greeted the girl again. Quickly she wasted no time in introducing herself. "My name is Selphie!"

She was hoping that she could make a new friend. Selphie dropped to a crouch on the cold stone floor, her hands now resting on her knees as she tilted her head curiously. It really was weird that the girl was completely alone. The Macalania woods were really confusing to travel through, most people didn't do it alone. "Whatcha doing over here all alone? Did you come all the way out here to pray to Yevon?"

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[doHTML]<center><div style="width: 440px; text-align: justify">With her eyes closed the way they were all that Rinoa could focus on was the sound of the temple. It was the safe haven promised, as the Hymn of the Fayth was so calming. All the little frayed nerves she had managed to irritate seemed to smooth down and ease entirely. Maybe things wouldn't go exactly as she was planning, they already had changed a bit, but Rinoa would manage just fine because it was what she needed to do. If she kept sitting here with her head down and her eyes closed then she wouldn't get anywhere! The young woman just needed to find her strength and hold fast to it.<br><br>

On some days being strong was easier said than done. Or rather... it was always easier said that done when it came right down to it. Rinoa had spent a lot of time trying to convince herself of things that maybe she didn't fully believe for the sake of being strong, but she was still not in the position to accept that fully. The faces of her friends and their words of encouragement would have to be enough to keep her going. Her fingers found the ring again and she thought about what she'd say to Squall the next time she saw him if she was foolish enough to just give up.<br><br>

"Huh...?" Rinoa looked up to catch the sight of a vibrant girl bounding across the temple happily. Something about her smile and her cheerful voice was instantly alluring and comforting, like the kind of friend she wished she could have had as a child. Then the girl came to a hop-stop right in front of Rinoa and she looked up to her with an unintentional and entirely genuine smile. It was like all of those other worries were just slipping away, maybe just for a short time but they were still off her heart for a moment.<br><br>

Selphie. It seemed like even her name sounded so warm and cheerful, Rinoa thought. For a few awkward moments the young woman realized she hadn't said anything in response- not hello or night to meet you, like most people would do when they first met someone new. It felt clumsy, but she uttered, "My name's Rinoa." The other girl got down to eye-level, seeming entirely at ease with Rinoa even though they'd never met before. It was admirable seeing how easily she put herself out there.<br><br>

Then Rinoa was just faced with the question of whether or not she should be entirely truthful with Selphie about why she was there. On one hand being able to talk with another girl about everything sounded really nice, but on the other hand Selphie might not want her whole Summoner life story. An airy laugh escaped her lips and she realized she was making this a lot more complicated than it needed to be. If they ended up talking longer and about things like that then that was just what was going to happen. There was no point in forcing things any.<br><br>

"I live in Bevelle and I often go to the woods with some of my old friends," The young woman started with things feeling a little more organic now. "For a while now I've been putting off coming here though. I'm going to become a summoner soon, I think." Certain amounts of insecurity came back to her about that specific issue and her smile got a little hollow. That man was so judgmental that she couldn't afford to not become a summoner- not after an entire lifetime of training and years of bragging from him.<br><br>

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Yep. This girl definitely needed a new friend! And Selphie was going to make sure she had one! Being alone, not having friends or anyone you could talk to... That sounded awful to Selphie, and she would do her absolute best to make sure it didn't happen. So here, she promised herself that they would become friends. She wouldn't take no for an answer.

"It's nice to meet you Rinoa! We can be friends, right?" Selphie grinned, resting back on the balls of her feet. It seemed to take Rinoa a moment to decide if she wanted to talk a little more. Maybe Selphie came on too strong? Or maybe she was just deciding what she really wanted to say? Selphie only canted her head further and smiled expectantly. She wasn't going to let the chance for a new friend slide. Despite the urge to ask her loads of new questions, Selphie waited to hear Rinoa speak up first. She didn't look like she'd be a shy person.

Finally, after what seemed like forever to Selphie, though it was only a few moments, Rinoa answered. And her answer was surprising. Not only did Rinoa have friends, ones that lived in the woods -or at least that's what Selphie was assuming, but she was from Bevelle, and she was a summoner. Bevelle was such a nice city, but it was full of stuffy Yevonites who would always be telling her to be quiet and say her prayers. Or at least that's what she really remembered about the Heart of Yevon's religious community. Slowly Selphie thought about what Rinoa'd said. She was a summoner! Green eyes seemed to light up as Selphie finally registered the fact. Well, maybe she wasn't a complete summoner yet, but she would be! And it was perfect! Selphie scooted closer. "You're a summoner!"

Excitedly, Selphie reached out and snagged Rinoa's hand. "That's so cool! How did you decide you were going to be a summoner? You haven't visited any temples yet? Is it hard to be a summoner? I could never do it, it takes waaaaay too long to study the prayers and stuff. But I think Summoners are amazing. They're all so brave."

Selphie was more suited to being a Guardian than a summoner. Did Rinoa have any Guardians? Selphie didn't think she did, just because surely her guardians wouldn't let her sneak off and run around with forest people unsupervised. It was dangerous out there, and being a summoner was a very important job. Maybe she should ask? Because Rinoa really seemed like the type of person she would want to protect from fiends. Not to mention, hadn't she decided they'd be friends?

Selphie thought about it. But what if Rinoa didn't want or need a new guardian? Oooh, she didn't know! She really wanted to be a guardian, and this could be her chance, but

Nerves were unlike her. She usually didn't worry about things like this. Every other time she'd thought she found a summoner who needed help, she'd throw herself out there and just ask. Besides! If Rinoa had a flock of guardians, and didn't need another one, Selphie would find something else to do. Rinoa would probably be her last attempt with a summoner. If this didn't end well, she could always join the Crusaders, right? Right! But still, the girl shifted uncertainly. This is dumb, it's not a big deal. She told herself she was being a dummy before taking a deep breath, and offering a bright smile. "Do you have any guardians?"

She really wanted Rinoa to tell her she didn't. Or that she only had a couple, or that she could use more, or really anything like that. Rinoa seemed to fit Selphie's bill of what a summoner needed to be perfectly.

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[doHTML]<center><div style="width: 440px; text-align: justify">It was surprisingly nice to hear the sound of another girl chattering away happily. Rinoa never did like to be alone, but now more than ever she needed someone with her. More than she even realized, actually. The thoughts of Squall and her father had been buzzing around in her head, and that on top of her thoughts of the Forest Owls was almost too much for anyone to handle. What it boiled down to though was that for a long while she had been harboring the kinds of thoughts she worked so hard to banish. It would be alright somehow. Rinoa would find a way through all of this.<br><br>

Questions were pouring from Selphie's mouth- so many in fact that it wasn't possible to answer them as she asked them. Rinoa smiled and laughed a little bit at the other girl's curiosity. Some pieces of what she wanted to know didn't exactly have good answers though, instead they had answers that might make it seem like what she did wasn't by her design. No, it wasn't actually. She couldn't just tell herself this was her choice just because someone thought it was cool or noble. "I've never really known anything else," Rinoa started.<br><br>

Knowing she couldn't properly explain it all, the young woman just added, "Ever since I was a child I practically lived in the temple." There were still plenty of other things she had asked about that Rinoa could talk on, but she felt a little scared. It was hard to explain right, but if she just didn't talk about certain things then she could ignore parts of her life that were troubling her, at least for a while. With Selphie it seemed like maybe she couldn't even do that.<br><br>

"I'm really not a full-fledged summoner yet, but the studies were sort of hard. A lot of things you'll need to remember, prayers you have to know almost too well, and... blahblah," Rinoa waved her hand dismissively and let out a soft sigh. Once she was actually in the heart of the temple looking at a Fayth she wondered if she would be able to prove herself. They could look into the heart of you and... what if her heart was too weak? No! Rinoa was a lot stronger than that. She would be able to face the Fayth and she would become a summoner because it was what she was meant to do.<br><br>

Guardians though...<br><br>

"About that..." she tried to laugh a little. The meeting with Squall was fresh on her mind and of course she wanted to imagine he'd be the guardian he offered to be, but she hadn't seen him since then. "I guess I don't. I mean... I thought I might have, but that's really unlikely. You probably think that's really foolish of me," Rinoa answered. There wouldn't be time to stall and look for him once she was certain about starting her pilgrimage, so that made her wonder if holding on to any hope was worth it at all.<br><br>

With a determined expression she looked to Selphie and said, "I could do it- even without a guardian, right?"<br><br>

Anyone else would probably have said no, unless they were just overly polite strangers. The truth was there was no record of anyone without a guardian actually accomplishing their pilgrimage. It was rare enough for those with guardians to succeed that the thought of someone without one... it felt like a ridiculous goal. For now, it was all she had though.<br><br>

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