"Tausen! Were you trying to reach the sun before? You are already quite tall."
Tausenadel Geispyrsyn wanders off the rock he had perched on, grinning at the crowd. "I can't help me height, lass! But I do have a tale to tell."
"Mayhaps not as tall as some of those true tales. Pilgrims, please welcome Tausen who is going to a bright one with us!"
"Ahoy, folks. Those who know me know I stick to Llymlaen an' her shiny sextant but I've been 'cross the map o' this land an' I've met many a lad an' lass what pray to many a god. As we're here 'bout Azeyma today, I figured I'd tell ye o' a lad what adored the sun."
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I was wand'rin' 'round some o' the old ruins in Thanalan, mostly lookin' for soil for a new crop o' cactuar, when I spotted this miqo'te. Clad full in armor, he stood 'mongst the ruins without a care, simply 'njoyin' the blaze that must o' been makin' him sweat the Rhotano.
As I 'pproached, he turned to me an' I'll nev'r forget his eyes. Mostly 'cause they were all I could see o' his face. Bright, wide, like he was always smilin'. "What ho, good sir! Are you here to bask in the light, same as myself?" Truth be told, I nev'r cared for Thanalan. Far too hot for my tastes but his enthusiasm was infectious.
I explained my task, to which he seemed most taken. With a proud stance, he nodded once. "A noble deed indeed! Haha, a joke! I am searching for my goddess in this land, She hangs above all but I am sure She can be found amongst us. I was just about to begin my search elsewhere. So, what do you say? Why not help one another on this lonely journey?"
Having someone around to keep an eye out for imps and antlings would really help out and he looked to be an alright sort. I agreed and he took that same proud stance. "Aha! What wonderous news! Let us depart!" Our trek lasted the rest of the day and despite never finding what he was looking for, the man's spirits didn't waver an ilm, still quick to laugh and be merry.
But ev'n his pow'rful positivity had its limits. As I found what I needed, the sun had finally begun its slow descent. I welcomed the cooler temperature, but now it seemed my companion was slightly upset. His shoulders were tense, I could tell even through his armor. Cresting a dune, the sun boiled before us and his voice echoed from within his helm. He looked at me, as if ashamed to be caught speaking to himself.
"Forgive me, I was just pondering… about my poor fortune. I did not find my own sun, not in Black Bush, nor in the Invisible City. Where else might my sun be? Crescent Cove, or Bluefog…?" He struggled for a moment. I began to place a hand on his shoulder to comfort him as best I could, but a'fore I could ev'n do that, he burst out laughing. "But I wonder. I traveled far to pursue this! And yet..."
We both turned to the sun, well, more him than myself, as that shite was burnin' holes in me eyes. But he stared Her down. "Azeyma. You travel high above all, warming us and caring for us. Banishing the cruel nights. You've always listened to my pleas with nothing but radiant love in return." He was...talking to the sun at this point. I clutched my jar of dirt, peerin' at him strangely before speakin' up. "Do ye think She's yers to have, though?"
This stopped him. "You have always been there, You listen to all without tiring. For me to think I would find You for myself...how callous! You are there for all and yet You listen to each of us. Humbled, am I...ah, my friend!" Turnin' to me, I could see that smile in his eyes again. "Thank you for joining me in this quest! I feel I have found my answer." His tail swished back an' forth as he struck his proud pose again, arms up in a Y, feet tight together.
"We must part ways here, I'm afraid. I will stay behind, to gaze at my goddess. The sun is a wondrous body. Like a magnificent mother! If only I could be so grossly incandescent!"
Holdin' the pose a moment, he eventually took my hand in a hearty shake. "Again, thank you for your jolly cooperation, friend. As you walk beneath her, remember to praise the sun!" With an exclaimation of joy, he took off down the dune, chasing after his Azeyma. I called after him but he merely waved, content to run just to have a few more moments with Her.
I watched him 'til he was a speck in the distance. I nev'r did see him again but iffin' any'un could find answ'rs by starin' into the damned sun, it'd be that lad. That day, I 'nd'rstood what sunstroke really did to a p'rson. But he was a fine friend an' to this day, each mornin', I find meself praisin' the sun as he did. Jus' seems right. Thank ye for lis'nin'! An' thank ye Jancis, for havin' me.
J'azhar claps in firm approval, the crowd joining in. "Thank you Tausen!"