Cran/Stories
During her morning prayers, Cran attempts to teach Stella its meaning and importance to her. Later that night, Alk also catches Cran during a prayer and decides to try it out for himself.
Stella: Good morning, Cran.
Cran: Ah, Stella. I'm sorry, did I wake you?
Stella: Not at all. I was already awake. You're up quite early.
Cran: Yes, I was about to head off to my morning prayer.
Stella: Morning prayer?
Cran: To ensure that our journey would continue without danger.
Stella: I was not aware prayer had such powers.
Cran: Not quite... Prayer is more of a, well...
Cran: It's not an exact science, but... Think of it as a ritual to seeking reassurance for the future.
Stella: Then why do you do it?
Cran: Heh... Why indeed, I wonder?
Cran: I suppose it's just a part of my culture—a tradition that gives me peace of mind.
Cran: However, I...
Cran: Hmm...
Alk: Cran? You're still up this late?
Cran: Alk. What brings you here at this hour?
Alk: I couldn't sleep. Doing some late-night stargazing?
Cran: Something like that. Where I'm from, we often prayed to the stars.
Cran: As per our tradition, we would gaze upon the position of the stars and divinate the events for the next day.
Alk: Cool... But the stars here are probably different than the ones you're used to, right?
Cran: Indeed it is a different sky. Where I'm from we didn't even call them stars—they were merely an enigma to us.
Cran: But even with the knowledge I have now, I still continue to pray.
Alk: What are you praying for, exactly?
Cran: For you. And everyone else here.
Alk: Wow... But why?
Cran: Master Alk, Lady Stella, and Sir Light... May they be protected from harm for another day.
Alk: Thanks. You're pretty serious about this, huh?
Cran: A friend of mine said the same thing once. That I spent too much time praying and not enough time playing.
Cran: But this is how I was taught to do things.
Alk: I see.
Alk: Do you think your prayers have any real effect on our daily lives?
Cran: Stella asked me the same thing, actually... I think I ended up saying no, regrettably.
Cran: To be honest, I was surprised by my own answer.
Alk: But you continue to pray anyway?
Cran: Yes. I suppose I've grown fond of the practice over the years.
Cran: A moment of respite where I can clear my mind, thinking only of my fellow brothers and sisters in this world. A moment I can let my wings spread a little more.
Cran: Regardless of its actual effects, I know that it brings me comfort.
Cran: If only I had been able to explain this to Stella as well.
Alk: Maybe I'll do a little prayer myself too.
Cran: What will you pray for?
Alk: Hmm, let's see... For high quality meat, I guess. So that tonight's dinner is extra special.
Cran: How refreshing!
Cran: You know, I was once known to be quite the skilled huntress among my people.
Alk: It looks like my prayer might just work after all then, huh?
Stella finds Cran outside, where she is letting her wings spread and feel the wind—a reminder of someone close to her heart. Stella asks Cran to teach her the ways of prayer.
Stella: Are you praying today as well, Cran?
Cran: Ah, Stella. No, just spreading my wings in the wind for a bit.
Stella: The wind?
Cran: Yes. To us birdfolk, the wind is a revered ally.
Cran: And not only that...
Cran: When I feel the wind, it reminds me of someone.
Stella: A friend of yours?
Cran: I suppose you could say that. I've known him since I was a child.
Cran: He was the strongest hunter our clan had ever seen—his eyes and wings were unparalleled.
Cran: Despite this, he never takes anything seriously—to the point of even taking names while flying.
Stella: Is that even possible?
Cran: Even the elders were unable to keep him under control. I, being close to his age, was chosen to be a caretaker of sorts.
Cran: Of course, at first all I wished to know were the secrets behind his incredible talents.
Stella: So he was a rival.
Cran: Yes. And a dear friend as well.
Cran: In the end, I could never catch up to him.
Stella: I don't quite understand.
Stella: Despite losing to someone you considered to be your rival, you...
Stella: You don't seem to be upset about it.
Cran: Funny, is it not? I often wonder why myself.
Cran: The breeze in my wings—it takes me back a time where I would cut through the wind at blistering speeds in a futile attempt to keep up with him.
Cran: It's strangely comforting to me.
Stella: He must be someone important to you.
Cran: Very much so.
Cran: Perhaps this could be considered a type of prayer as well.
Cran: This way of thinking of someone might not be recognized as prayer by my people, but to me... it is just as important.
Stella: I see.
Stella: Do you think you could teach me how to pray as well?
Stella: I was hoping to try it myself.
Cran: O-of course! There are many ways you can pray, but I would be glad to teach you how I do it!
Stella: Like this?
Cran: Excellent. Now let go and move as you see fit.
Cran: Who will you pray for, I wonder?
Alk: Stellaaa! Craaaan!
Light: It's almost suppertime. Thanks to Cran, we've got a pretty meaty catch to feast on tonight!
Alk: So come and get it while it's hot!
Stella: We'll be there soon.
Stella: There were too many for me to count. Is there a limit to how many people I can pray for?
Cran: Of course not, Stella. In fact, the very fact you have so many people in your life to pray for is a blessing in itself.