Ruli nodded as Gavin explained how a happy memory would backfire. With Solaralai messing with their heads, who knew if she was forcing the idea that she was a happy memory, a salvation in a life broken by hardship. Not so unlike Gavin and Ikegai; the lad had wanted something better, and Akuma and Ikegai latched upon that like parasites. 
Magic was finicky. "There's also no promise that placing magic summoning and attaching to a good memory would somehow set off alarms, or create some adverse effect." Ruli explained between bites. "Last thing we want is to hand someone a happy memory anchor and for the Goddess's magic to coil and strike, feeling its threat. Its better just to offer something to subdue surrounding magic, and create the effect of peace. if, for no other reason, then perhaps they won't let the item go or set it aside."

"That sounds like you want them to form dependencies." Sid frowned. "Addictions."
"Isn't that all religion is?" Ruli asked, his tone flat. 

Gavin's quip about Kire had Ruli flicking a bit of vegetable. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you, boy." He answered, though he did look mildly amused. "I meant I needed to know if they like her or not before attaching anything to the coin. If they dislike her, it won't work."
"I doubt they'll grumble too hard about receiving a free coin." Sid mentioned, taking a sip of her tea. 
"Kire's help with the boy is a start." Ruli said, still hunched over his plate. "But not everyone was saved by her. If we want this done quick, she'll likely need to address them each, display her help, so that they'll see her as a beacon of peace, at least for now. Hopefully it will be enough to make them temporarily forget about the recent war."

He pushed his plate away, his food barely touched. His stomach felt heavy as though he'd eaten, though it churned and ached enough to remind him he had not. Behind them, outside of the tent, he heard a strangled noise, and turned his head. "In here, Rab." He called, and a second later the half-Kartaian entered, towering over the others. He looked mildly uneasy, but sighed in visible relief upon finding the others. He raised his hands and signed quickly, finishing with a smart clap. Ruli exhaled. "I'm sorry we left you. You were sound asleep, I felt no need to bother you, but, tomorrow, I will. We won't leave you alone again."
Rab frowned at him, but came around to sit himself beside Sid. She wordlessly took Ruli's plate and set it before Rab. Both the males glanced at one another, but when no objection was uttered, Rab bent over the plate to begin devouring. 

[hr]

"Simple." Zeltzin repeated, her eyes watching Kire carefully, as if well aware of the skepticism the woman had and was waiting to parry it. When Kire seemed to accept the terms of appeasing the Goddess, the Priestess grinned. "I cannot say, yet, if this is all She will require." Zeltzin answered truthfully. "Her influence, at the time, is like a newly sprouted vine, swaying and searching for something on which to climb. The temple will be the trellis, allowing Her to focus. Once it is made, perhaps She will be able to give more guidance. Perhaps She will be sated and retreat to being ever-watchful, once more. Time will tell."

Silence passed between them again, the priestess waiting for the empress to object, ready to explain in simpler details why she must not refuse, but, again, Kire seemed to decide to move forward. Zeltzin bent her head in a slight bow of thanks as Kire promised her an escort. Zeltzin did not explain that she felt as though it were an unnecessary offer, likewise deciding against objections where this uneasy agreement lay. 

She followed Kire out of Solaralai's forest, making her way to the town on sure feet, her head held high. Her eyes took in the people worldessly as they drew near; not all of them were under Her influence, but she could still sense her Goddess here, like a phantom wind carrying a blessed scent. The priestess even inhaled deeply as they came to a stop and Kire gave the order for a tent to be erected for the woman. Not too close to any of the the others, Zeltzin noticed. It was only now that the priestess wondered whose [i]protection[/i] the Empress was concerned with. 
However, she offered no ill-toned word, deciding to stand still beneath the beneath the sun and observe as the tent was raised and accomodations were brought in; a cot, a table and chairs, a small box full of papers and graphic, a candle, another box Zelztin didn't see but was sure had some purpose. 

Whenever Kire looked her way, Zeltzin smiled, her face an example of friendly patience.

[hr]

Rab had emptied his plate when Daryll came in, his pink-hued eyes rising curiously. Ruli, hearing that the priestess was here in the town with Kire, frowned. And when Daryll announced the Goddess wanted a [i]temple[/i], Ruli gave a low, animal-like growl. "Keep her far from the townsfolk." Ruli said grumpily. "Anything we do to keep the villagers calm, she'll undo."
"Are you going with him, then?" Sid asked, unsure of Daryll's name yet.
Ruli shook his head. "I don't like the priestesses. Anymore then I like the Goddess they serve." His lips curled in disgust. He'd told Kire that his tribe had been the one to sell out the rest of the elves to the Sun-Goddess, which, technically, put him in good standing with the Bitch, but he still had no desire to stand in front of one of Her preachers. He wanted no part in any of it.

"When Kire's not occupied with her, think you can send her our way?" Ruli asked of Darylll, instead. "We're trying to think of ways to get the magic to lessen its grip on the people, we may need her."