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Episode LI-2: Weigh My Options



Following the bizarre ass afterlife escape attempt by the former Guado Maester the party discusses what the fuck that was all about. We are given the option of letting Tidus interject with his opinion. But it is well established at this point that Tidus’ opinion is about as useful as an asshole on my elbow so let’s just let the people that actually live in Spira at length talk, eh?



"I would think he was sent once...but he stayed on Spira. Something, a powerful emotion could have bound him to this world. Such things happen."
"That's against the rules, isn't it?"
"It means he died an unclean death."

So basically Jyscal got murdered. Probably by a Guado if I had to bet on it... There are exactly two named Guado at this point, Tromell and Seymour. I’ll just leave those facts as they are and let you folks draw a conclusion. Use spoiler tags about it probably being SEYMOUR IS A VILLAIN, CHRIST!


Guadosalam



Anyhow, the Guado in and around the entrance to the Farplane want us to shut right the fuck up about the old leader of the race trying to work his way out of the afterlife possibly for vengeance filled reasons. That is fairly reasonable. As far as Tidus is concerned, he has another round of cutscene hunting ahead. This time it is a matter of returning to the area in front of Seymour’s Pad.



Yuna turns toward Seymour’s joint…



Yuna ignores Yuna and wanders off. Man that is NOT a good idea, kiddo. Auron clearly has access to the script and is the only one who knows his shit in this narrative.



In any case, the party disperses at this point. Wakka and Kimahri wander off to talk about… hell that is even harder to determine than Auron and Rikku chatting alone… And then Tidus and *AFFECTION MECHANIC* wander off to talk privately. Remember when I mentioned that ‘bout 30 updates ago? This is one of like… three points where scenes actually vary. At this point either Lulu or Rikku can decide to go wander off to chat with Tidus. Except there is about a 99% chance it will be Lulu since Rikku only joined about an hour worth of game time ago and you literally have to have never once healed Lulu with Tidus or first spoken with Lulu in any downtime scene prior to Rikku’s joining to get the alternate version of the scene.



I’ll hack my save at a later time to show off the Rikku version of this scene. But for continuity sake, let’s just progress with Lulu…



"What?"
"So, Lulu, what do you think about Yuna getting married?"
”I mean I don’t have the Spira perspective on this but how high would you rank this on ‘Gross!’ out of ten…?”



"That's it? What if she doesn't even like the guy? Is that okay?"
"People marry for different reasons."
"What's that mean?"
"Sometimes marriage doesn't require love, you know? Defeat Sin, and bring joy to the people of Spira. For Yuna, they're just two ways down the same road. All you need is determination. If you have that, you don't need love."
"I don't know... I just don't get it."
”I mean a celebrity wedding… I mean Yuna is kinda famous but isn’t she the sort of D-List ‘kid of a famous guy’ sort…?



Welp that conversation abruptly ends leaving us with another “hunt the progress” chat. Spoilers: It’s with Lulu again.



“What? That again?”
“Yes. If she is to marry, I would want her to marry for love.”
“See…?”
“But… If Yuna said she wanted to marry the one she loves. I would have to object.”
*scratches head* “Huh? Uh… You’re not making much sense.”

Spoilers Tidus: The female lead might like you!

Another round of “Find the Cutscene” ensues…



"I've talked enough about that."
"What?"
"I'm sorry, just forget about it."
"Geez! Grumpy!"
"You'll understand one of these days. I just don't want to give it words. Not yet.”
”Oh… lady problems. Gotcha…”
“…What?”
“…Nothing!”

Lulu begins walking away…



We can choose Tidus’ response here. But using the magic of editing we can take a look at all three replies real quick. You decide which one is your personal canon!



“Okay.”
"That's fine, then."
“Yep…”
“Alright.”
*nods*
*nods back*

*****

“Too late.”
”Something about detached sleeves on a chick just does it for me, you know?”
“I see. But... You must keep your feelings inside, until the pilgrimage is over."
”Alright, alright… I won’t summon any aeons until later.”
“…”

*****

“You’re more my type, Lulu.”
”I wanna see if there’s something besides belts down that dress.”
“…”
“…Wait! That came out wrong!”
*chuckles* “Interesting. I suppose I could add you to my list. I wish you good luck, little boy. You're going to need it."



Time for the final round of cutscene hunting. To trigger the end of our Guadosalam stay we must hang a left a bit in front of Seymour’s pad toward the next map. There we run into…



“Was the lady summoner not with you?"
"No. She's at Seymour's place."



"Oh, I'll be careful. Sorry."
"That's all right.”
”Yevon forgives all. Even the ignorant and the slow.”
“…Yeah. Neat.”
“Maester Seymour left Guadosalam a short while ago."
"You serious?"
"I believe he went to the temple in Macalania. Maester Seymour is also the high priest of that temple."
*runs off* "Whoa, I gotta tell the others!"



And tell the others he does. I guess Yuna would have just wandered in circles all day asking if anyone was home if Seymour’s absence was not brought to the party’s attention. Speaking of Yuna…





“Show me your tits, my dear!”



”Good… Good…”
"Yuna, let's go!"

A short while later…



"Macalania Temple."
"Aye."
"What I don't get is... Why would the lord maester head off without a peep to anyone?"
"Maybe he wasn't expecting Yuna's answer so soon."
"Ah, that's probably it."
”He could just be a jerk.”
*glares* “That’s a maester you’re talking about!”
*looks at Yuna* "Yuna, what is it?"
"Oh, nothing."
"Hmm... You're a poor liar."
"It's true. It's nothing!”
”And if it were something then this is hardly a fitting place for any dramatic reveals.”
“Come on, let's go."



And with that our stay in Guadosalam has reached its end. But we’re not quite finished here. You heard our next destination: Macalania Temple. And with a temple comes another Cloister of Trials (:suicide But more importantly… new aeon time! I would like to play ahead a bit so we’re going to go ahead and name our new recruit an area early.

Macalania Temple holds the series summon staple Shiva. What is a Shiva?

Wikipedia posted:



Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the Destroyer or Transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. He is regarded as the most powerful god in Hinduism. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is the Supreme God and has five important works: creator, preserver, destroyer, concealer, and revealer (to bless). In the Smarta tradition, he is regarded as one of the five primary forms of God. Followers of Hinduism who focus their worship upon Shiva are called Shaivites or Shaivas (Sanskrit Śaiva), one of the three most influential denominations in Hinduism.

Shiva is usually worshipped in the aniconic form of lingam. He is described as an omniscient yogi, who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash, as well as a householder with a wife Parvati, and two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. Shiva has many benevolent as well as fearsome forms. He is often depicted as immersed in deep meditation, with his wife and children or as the Cosmic Dancer. In fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying demons.


So the biggest badass god in the Hindu religion. Final Fantasy’s version…?



A half-naked blue ice chick. Yeah… you got me… It has been that since its first appearance in Final Fantasy III. Anyhow, this thing needs a name.

Let's review the boundaries...





Well then, get to it!






Episode 51-2 Highlight Reel




Lulu Portrait – Who the hell is manufacturing purple lipstick and eye shadow in Spira…?