EW   Cheng! You awake?

EW   I didn't take you for an outdoor napper.

You sigh and keep your eyes closed, hearing his footsteps grow closer.

CN   good morning, elwyn.

CN   presumably. but i know its you.

EW   It is.

CN   please tell me it's just you this time.

EW   Who else would it be?

CN   you and a hoard of companions.

EW   Ehee hee.

EW   No, it's just me today.

EW   Aren't you proud of me?

Your thoughts are briefly overcome by the nightmares of 'last time'. And pride isn't the first thing you feel for the boy next to you.

CN   you know how much chaos they caused?

CN   this cathedral is hardly built to handle our own wildlife!

EW   So you're saying I did a great job not bringing them.

CN   ...

CN   thank you for not bringing them.

CN   this is a good thing, and i'm happy about it.

EW   Aww, don't mention it.

CN   (i wouldn't have, otherwise...)

EW   So what're you doing out here?

EW   If you want to relax, I know a great meadow just outside of Capri Heights.

EW   A bit further away from all the buildings.

CN   i'm praying, elwyn.

EW   Huh.

EW   Are you sure?

CN   what kind of a question is that??

EW   I'm just saying. Your hands aren't doing the prayer thing.

CN   it doesn't always have to be so formal.

CN   sometimes, it's just about speaking with them in your head.

CN   today...

CN   i thought to spend some time with asuli.

The grass rustles beside you as he sits down.

EW   Asuli, huh?

EW   What's the occasion?

CN   this morning, when i woke up...

CN   i could feel their whispers in the wind.

CN   i’m hoping to bless everyone - with their guidance, of course -

CN   with levity and liberation.

You hear him laugh. It's light - like a fluttering leaf.

EW   Is it that easy?

EW   If I were Asuli, I wouldn’t even need to be asked.

EW   I'd make sure everyone felt nice and free.

EW   Isn't it better that way?

You peek at him. He's lying on his back, now. Looking at the skies.

CN   it’s not about asking and receiving, you know.

CN   it’s about… oh, how do i put it?

CN   believing!

CN   believing that the gods are listening, and that they care.

CN   i feel their care through my prayers - and you can feel it, too.

EW   Hmm.

EW   You're really into the deities, aren't you?

CN   and what is that supposed that mean?

EW   Ehehe, nothing!

EW   It's cool. Makes the world feel nicer, is all.

EW   Being stuck at a church like this - I'm sure it helps pass the time.

You do a quick sign to end the prayer, then you sit down next to him. Luckily, he's true to his word. He hasn't come with furry or feathery company today, so it's just the two of you. Staring at the same sky.

CN   elwyn.

EW   Yeah?

CN   you visit a lot.

He brightens.

EW   Thanks for noticing!

EW   It's because you're here, and I like you.

CN   th-thats...!

You look away, flustered. You can't imagine what goes through his mind to say something like that, to a young disciple no less! Even if he means it as nothing more than simple affection.

CN   a-anyway...

CN   this is a place of worship, not cheng ground central.

CN   it would behoove you to get to know the religion at least a little.

EW   Eh, I'd rather 'misbehoove' then sit around and think deep about stuff.

EW   Get it?

He's grinning at you, as if waiting to be praised for his joke. But you're too busy thinking about what he said. Does he really think that's all it is?

CN   elwyn, have you ever prayed before?

EW   Me? Uhh...

His eyes flit around. Strange. You wouldn’t think that question would be the one to catch him off guard.

EW   Not really.

EW   I wouldn’t know what to say.

CN   it doesn't have to be anything fancy.

CN   i find it nice and meditative, just speaking with them.

CN   just imagine something big and grand listening to you.

EW   Eh, it's not just that.

EW   It's more like, I don't think I have anything they want to hear.

EW   It’d be more awkward than anything.

CN   what do you mean?

CN   the gods would never turn away a willing soul!

EW   Eheh.

EW   Maybe…

He shrugs and stretches his arms above him.

EW   Maybe they have a better time talking to someone like you.

CN   no! don’t be silly.

CN   asuli is the best one of the chromadeities.

CN   they'd love you!

He raises an eyebrow at you.

EW   The best? Really?

EW   Not Wisce, or Cuwal, or…

CN   huh?

CN   i meant - you have a lot in common, so -

EW   Are they your favorite?

EW   Be honest.

CN   they’re, um... not my patron god.

CN   and my chroma’s no good for anything ptaero.

CN   so i wouldn't have anything to offer to them.

CN   but, they're just so...!

You take a deep breath to calm down and exit Unreasonably Excited Fangirl mode.

CN   i’ve always felt that… if i had the choice,

CN   i’d chose them to be my patron, no question.

CN   that's all.

EW   ...

EW   Then, I'll let Asuli know.

CN   huh?

He sits up, shaking some grass off of his sleeves.

EW   They’re my patron god, y’know?

EW   I have better access than you. Even if I've been under-utilizing it.

EW   Besides.

He flicks a leaf off of your skirt.

EW   I’m sure they’d be thrilled - knowing that they’re worshipped so lovingly.