To the East We Go, For Holy Water Awaits!

You know, Yuna, I still haven't had the chance to ask you much about where you came from. Like what you did back in your hometown, for instance.

O-Oh. Is that important somehow? Forgive me, I was not aware.

We're always on the road and in battle together. Shouldn't we both know who the person we're trusting our lives with out there is?

I suppose you're right. I don't think it makes an interesting topic for conversation but, well... I was born into a clan of mediums in a land far to the east.

"Mediums"? Is that a kind of special calling over there or something?

Um...in a way. We are not unlike the "priests" here who serve the elements and such.

Oh, I think I get it. So who does your clan serve?

The spirits of the atmosphere. In return they have blessed my family with untold benefits for generations.

Hey, that does sound interesting. So what benefits did you get, Yuna?

Me? I-I, um, well... Sometimes I can call forth the rain, but...

Did I hear someone, specifically you, say "call forth the rain"?

Uwah! I-I-I-It's not like I'm all that good at it or anythi...

Perfect! You see, I'm currently conducting an experiment to purify rainwater. I call the process "filtration." The name's so catchy it just makes you want to get involved, doesn't it? Well, I've got you covered. It doesn't rain here often so you can make some for me!

N-N-N-N-No, I...! Um, I can't...I can't actually make the rain, all I do is pray that it falls, and...

I...I would feel terrible agreeing and getting your hopes up only to disappoint you if I failed. More so, I have no clue where to find a suitable offering for the ritual in a foreign land.

What sort of offering would you need?

It's, um, a special kind of draught with a very particular composition. We call it holy water.

But I don't see anything like it in this establishment, unfortunately.

The selection here is limited, but I'm sure the tavern in Acteul will have it! The gentleman who runs it is an avid collector of rare beverages and such.

B-But he might, I mean, what if...I...

Come on, Yuna. This guy seems like he could really use a hand. It's only a small favor to go check out the tavern's stock.

But i-it... The...um...

...I suppose so.

Great, I'm counting on you! No pressure or anything!

Let's head to the tavern in Acteul, then. I hope they have what we need!

Barkeep, we're looking for an elixir from the East called Holy Water. Do you have anything like that?

We appreciate it. Thanks.

*sigh* Fine by me if he doesn't find anything even remotely like it.

Huh? But without the offering you can't perform the rainmaking ritual, right?

W-W-Well, you know... I wouldn't mind not doing it either.

You mean you don't want to do it at all, right?

Ack!

I knew it. Are you worried that the spirits are going to punish you for bothering them or something?

N-No, that's not it. Honestly, embarrassing as it is to admit, I... I'm not very good at rainmaking...

...Seriously?!

I-I-I-I do have the power to make rain, I do! But it's just that whenever I try to do it, it never actually goes how it should...

So if we can't find the Holy Water then I won't have to try.

I see where you're coming from but that researcher's counting on us to help him.

I know.

Besides, isn't this what you trained for? I mean, I'm not too familiar with your culture. But the spirits must have given your family these powers to help those who needed it.

That is indeed what my grandmother told me, b-but still...

Hey, that really is lucky! With this we can make the elixir for the ritual!

K-Keep it, you never know when you might fancy a different kind of taste! Besides, draught or no draught the ritual's all luck anyway. Okay?

Aren't you worried the spirits might smite you for disrespecting their power like that?

Besides, if you keep putting it off you'll never get better at rainmaking. Look, I'll even help you out.

(I'd happily put it off forever and never get better at rainmaking though.)

Come on, let's go find the parts we need in Lake Tiilen!

This guy's what we're looking for! Ready?

Oooh... No...

I-I mean, yes!

Hey, we have all the ingredients we need to brew the draught. Great.

Is it really? Wouldn't it be greater if we didn't have to brew it all?

That would mean leaving the researcher without a means of advancing his project, so no. What are you so afraid of? Is it failing?

N-N-No! Well, not...not exactly. There's a reason why I can't summon rain properly.

Wait, what?!

According to my grandmother, when I was small I angered the spirits of the sun and they sealed away my powers.

That is why I came to this land, to find a way to undo the seal.

Oh geez, I'm sorry, Yuna. Then everything I said about performing the ritual must have been really hurtful. Of course you don't have to do it. I'll explain everything to the researcher and apologize.

It's okay. You were simply trying to help. And besides, what you said is still true.

Seal or no seal, I am duty-bound to help those in need of my power. Even if I am powerless I must do all that I can nonetheless.

But what can you do? Is there any other way you could make rain fall?

W-Well, I can still pray to the spirits of rainfall and if they feel like it, they might answer. So I'll do my best to pray as loudly as I can!

Yeah, that's the spirit! Let's do this! I don't know what I'll do but I'll help anyway!

Let's see... Thankfully this recipe includes the brewing instructions. Let's take these ingredients back to Palsifal Palace and speak with someone in the dining hall about cooking them up!

Hey, that was fast! Did you find what we need?

Not quite. We found a way to make it though. It's written in this book right here.

Excuse me. We'd like the potion from this book brewed. Can you do that?

Lemme see that real quick... Hmm. Yeah. If you've got the ingredients I reckon I can whip that up.

Whoo! I can almost feel the rain on my skin! Speaking of, I assume we're doing this outside?

I guess so. Is all of this really necessary? Can't you drink the rainwater as is?

With all the dust and dirt mixed up inside it? No way. But with my filtration technique it'll be clean enough even for babies to drink!

Huh. I guess I've always taken the water prismas in my era for granted. Thanks to them we've never had to worry about getting water.

Does that mean if your experiment is a success this "filtration" could save people's lives?

Yep! That's the idea anyway. Oh boy, just thinking about the good it'll do gets me all jittery with excitement! I'm going outside for some fresh air. Come find me when the brew's done, okay?

I...I think you were right to insist that we help him after all, Aldo.

Heh. Glad you think so, Yuna.

Order's up! Give it a try, huh? Lemme hear what you think.

I-I-I'll just check the, um, the fragrance...

Oh, no! Yuna! What did it do to you?!

Heeeeeee... It containsh a fruit extract called nectar dat makes me vewwy wooshy... But thash good! Smellsh just like the one from home... Mm-hm, thish will do fine...

O-Okay...Well, if you're sure you're all right let's go find that researcher.

You're here! Great! I'm all ready to make it rain, baby!

Yes, rain...Lots of rain...

Absolutely! Now, this way! We can't keep everyone waiting much longer.

Wh-Wh-Wh-What? Everyone? Waiting?!

When the townspeople heard about the ritual they all wanted to see it for themselves. I thought the spirits would appreciate a big audience so I took the liberty of inviting them! You can thank me later. Now, let's get to it!

*hyperventilating* I...Nervous...Aldo...!

You'll be fine. Just focus on the ritual and don't forget to breathe every few seconds. Okay?

*inhale* O...Okay...

AHHHHHHHHH!

This sure is a lot more people than I expected. But you got this, right, Yuna?

I-I-I-I-I don't know! It's so hard to think with them all staring...

Don't worry, I've got you covered.

Listen up, everyone! In order to protect the sanctity of the ritual I have to ask you all to look away.

Whaaat?! But we're missin' the duck races for this!

I'm afraid we can't go ahead with the ceremony without your cooperation.

Oh, fine...Geez...

How's that? Better?

A...A little bit...

I'll look away too, okay? So do your best and don't worry about it!

O-Okay, here goes...*deep breath*

...O, Spirits of the Rain, or some say Rainfall. Far from home as I may be, hear my prayers.

As you once did for my kinsmen, now, for these outlanders and I...

Grant us rain! Grant us rain!

And as this sacred Holy Water quenches the drought of the body...

So too may your showers quench these scorching, golden la, ACK!

*splutter*

You okay there, Yuna?

Oh, no...Oh no! Oh no, Aldo!

I only meant to wet my lips with the Water but I've accidentally swallowed the whole...

Bleh.

Yuna?! Yuna! Speak to me!

Uh, Mister? Is this part of the ritual or what?

Is she asleep? Gosh, those Easterners got them some real funny traditions, huh?

Hey, how come it ain't rainin' yet?

Maybe the spirits are taking the day off to watch the duck racing too.

*belch* Oooh...Youuu...

......

Lookatcha, youuu hillbilly shimpletons! Think ya can laugh at me, huh? Huh?!

(Just when I thought this couldn't get any wo...)

MISTA Aldo!

Yes, Ma'am?!

YOU! Youuuuuu're laughin' at me too, aren'tcha?

Come on, Yuna, that's not...

Oh, shut ya piehole! You don' belieeeve in ma power! Do ya? Haaah? Nnno!

HEY! RAIN SHPIRITS! Youuu usheless buncha kooks! Shtop bein' so shtingy with dat water and make it rain, y'hear me? Come on!

Like dis! Raaaaaain! Raaaaaain! WHOOOOOO! YEAH!

......

It's okay, Yuna. You did good. You can relax now.

What?!

The air, it feels...different.

Like a cool breeze is wafting from the east...

You're kidding!

Holy moly! Rain! And buckets of it!

Well, I'll be! That crazy girl was the real deal after all!

I can't believe it! So THIS is the fabled weather magic of the Eastern mediums!

HAH! I toldja suckers! Kneeeeel before my powaaa, fools!

With this deluge this ferocious I'll have no problems carrying out my experiment now! And it's all thanks to you and your abilities, o great and powerful spirit medium!

Yerrrrrr welcome!

She's practically reeling on her feet! She can't have made it rain for real, can she? Or, wait...Don't tell me her powers are freed when she's completely giddy?!

Mooore raaain! More! Loootsa rain for everybody!