Gather in the Gardens

The clear sky makes for a brilliant, glittering sky, yet it also makes it rather cold. The gusts of wind do nothing to make matters seem more warm. Here in the gardens, however, the trees provide some shelter from the wind and snow. As well, the same blessings that keep the foliage bright and green also mitigate much of the harshness of the season (that has only just begun). Much, yet not all, and the gardens are not likely heavily occupied with casual strollers.

A bench is occupied with a Verna, however. Hood doffed despite the breeze, she is currently perusing a quite small (comparative to her usual fare) book. In addition to the various faerie lanterns on nearby boughs, a hovering light overhead makes the reading easier.

Standing and walking at Seldan's side, is Zeke. The blue-scaled sith is enjoying the warmer respite from the cold that consumes the other streets. The sith's tail swishes back and fort behind him pleasantly, keeping close to the paladin though he does allow the other man his space. He's not hovering so much as keeping Seldan company. He notices Verna sitting on a bench as they round a corner, and quietly touches the other man on the shoulder and motions toward the woman in question. "Ssseldan, you wisshed to ssspeak to Verna did you not?"

Zeke's companion looks over at the bench at the touch. Seldan, too, seems glad of a respite from the wind, although the cold does not appear to trouble him at all, and has resumed his usual outfit - warm woolen shirt and trousers, open-front robe, and a pair of cloaks pulled over his sounders, the outer one a heavy woolen traveler's cloak. A scarf and gloves are also called for against the winter chill, both a deep midnight blue.

"Yes. Mourner, it is good to see you well. Her light upon your path," he offers by way of greeting.

There is a scarred mul'neissa woman taking an idle stroll through the gardens. Hands in her pockets, torch-bright eyes somewhat dimmer than normal and unfocused. The cold air helped keep her thoughts squared away and ceasing being a avalanche of information. A lot to think about. A lot to talk about...

Such idle musings slow to a halt as she looks across the space. Spying Verna being spotted by two others. She's a touch conflicted, a foot turning rightwards to leave, but a weight in her bag made her halt.

She sighs. Turns. And ambles over to the growing group. She gives a little wave from the hip.

Verna looks up from her book at the greeting, to find not one but several familiar presences in her vicinity. A blink follows as she closes the book. "Ah, greetings," she offers to Seldan and Zeke, accompanied by a returned gesture of greeting to the approaching mul'niessa. "You look decidedly more ambulatory, Silverguard. I trust in my Mistress' wisdom that you shall not be judged for some time, and that you are well."

"Yesss, he isss doing better." Zeke says with seeming pleasure, nodding low to Verna and then spying Aryia offers her a nod as well. To both of them he offers a customary greeting. "Peasce on your nessstss. Thisss one hopess that the cold isss not bothering any-one overly much." His tone is pleasant and mild, his body language relaxed as he stops somewhat shy of Verna's bench to share words with everyone.

A small, boyish smile cracks across Seldan's even features. "Even so, I pray that Her judgment shall keep until at least the morrow." The smile comes more easily, and a tension that had been present for many seasons now has fallen from his shoulders, a tension visible only in its newfound absence. "It troubles me not at all, kin, though well I know that such is not so for you." Aryia gets an acknowledgement as well, the wave prompting a polite inclination of the head.

"I - have little enough memory of what befell, after Eclavdran was no more." The smile fades as he speaks. "Know you what became of Eluna's Moons that were freed?"

Aryia nods back to Zeke, her flashing familiar gestures, "Peace on your nest," back to him while one hand rifles around in the bag on her side.

She quietly watches the exchange, meeting the silverguard's gaze for a moment before devoting her attention to whatever it was she was messing with.

Once the proper nouns were out of the way, the mute elf holds up a cloth package to Seldan. <Handspeech>

"Peace on yours, as well." Following the courteous response, there is a flicker on Verna's visage. A possible reactive nascent mirroring of Seldan's expression...? Due to Zeke's update? Seldan's own easy amusement? Yet the uptick to her lips promptly flattens at the Silverguard's inquiry.

Initially in thought, her countenance twists further into a light frown. "I fear that I do not recall much detail. They were present, and once my senses returned to the room again... I believe that they, Tanith, and Mei were all absent. In hindsight, I should have inquired further, immediately. I did not."

On the matter of inquiries, the offered package by Aryia garners a curious glance, if more upon Aryia than the package. Verna's curiosity and gaze continue, implying further questions of the mul, though she does not immediately ask.

Zeke's tail stills behind him as he considers Verna's words, and then his eyes fall upon the package that Aryia offers to Seldan. There's no knowing what's inside it, but he could have admitted to some curiosity on the matter. Still, it's not his place to comment, and he keeps his thoughts on both subjects to himself for the moment.

Seldan's expression stills again, into his more usual quiet reserve, at the knowledge that Mei and Tanith both vanished, and possibly the Moons with one or both of them. That isn't good news, but he instead turns his focus towards Aryia. "For me? My thanks." He reaches to take the cloth-wrapped parcel from her, to unwrap it, to study it.

The package could be anything. It could be another fold to the mystery. The tale not yet over. It could be a secret Moon, tucked away to be delivered by an acquaintance. It could even be-

Oh. It's none of that.

Unfurling into a rather decent yet still somehow manageable length is a silver and blue scarf. The colors dyed in a subtle swirl, littered with tiny flecks of thread that sparkle in lights. Small crescent moons dot the fabric. Each inlaid with a even smaller silver circle. One one edge, on the hem, it has sewn in white thread: 'Seldan'.

A note rests in the center. It simply reads:

"Thanks. -Aryia."

Now that Verna has the thought in mind, she continues to consider it. Further attempts at recollection nor pondering possible scenarios do not improve matters in the slightest. Stopping short of falling into a pit of hypotheticals, she returns her attention to the present and the revealed scarf. "That is fine work." Not the most dextrous segue, but it is a segue.

Zeke tilts his head at the scarf. It takes him a moment to identify what manner of clothing item it is, and then his tail resumes its swishing course. "It isss a lovely ssscarf Aryia." He says gently, nodding low as if in thanks to the woman though the gift was not for him.

Seldan's eyebrows go up at the beautiful workmanship, the scarf unfolding in his hands. He nearly fails to catch the note at the center, but when he has scanned it, he looks up. "A truly fine piece, and one I shall wear with pride, but if I may - to what do I owe this honor, my lady?"

The compliments get the somewhat neutral faced mul'neissa to color slightly, her hissing out a quiet, "Th-nks..." to them. She holds a finger up, affording a moment as a hand unclasps a pocket on her jacket. A journal is pulled free, along with a pen. Book open, she scribbles something down. She could sign to Verna and have her translate, but she felt it would come off as insincere. The page is presented.

"For killing him."

Short and blunt. That's the way Aryia rolls.

Thus the topic rather directly circles right back around. To a degree. This focus, however, is a far less concerning aspect, at least to Verna. She gives Aryia an encouraging and acknowledging nod, leaving further comment to the recipient or Zeke.

Jinks is snapping a tea cloth down by a corner as he bursts from the Defense, stepping to one side and keeping the door open with his heel for a sunguard passing the opposite direction. He draws thumb and forefinger down the length of the towel, stepping beyond the threshold entirely and allowing the door to close. He walks a few steps, half-whistling through his teeth as he makes quick work of folding the patterned cloth before stuffing it down into an outside pocket on his heavy jacket. Soft, white fur fluffs from his collar and sleeve cuffs and the over abundance of silver buttons on his coat could likely feed a few city blocks with alms leftover for a poorbox.

The gnome's crown glitters and the low-set onyx on the front looks a third-eye between and above his two solid black peepers. "... changed my face... changed my name," he picks up the melody quietly grinning and looking about.

Zeke's eyes traverse to the book automatically, reading the words there he nods. It makes sense to him, and his gaze falls to Seldan to whom the message and the gift are meant. There's a sense of awareness to the sith-makar as he looks at Seldan. As if he's not entirely sure that the other man will take such gift-giving as easily as that.

Seldan reads the words, ice-blue eyes flicking over the page in silence, and when it is done, he nods slowly, his eyes lowering. "You are welcome. But, I would have it known that it would not have been possible without the wisdom and talents of those around me, including the Mourner. I am deeply grateful to her for her wisdom, and for her effort at research. To my kin, who has been my saving grace, and to others who stood with me. Such victories are never the product of one man alone, and arrogant indeed would I be not to acknowledge that."

He takes the scarf in both hands, and seems uncertain of whether to handle the wrapping cloth back, or not.

Aryia blinks as the deluge of heartfelt words wash over her. She pulls her book back, scribbling more, glancing over to Zeke and writing something on a different page before going back to her original message. The glow in her eyes dims some as a thought or another crosses her mind, but it brightens as she finishes it and shows the page.

"I am working on other scarves. I just finished yours first. :)"

There is, indeed, a light smile on the mute's lips. She winks.

Verna nods lightly with Seldan as he states the truth-though her motion halts hard when he mentions her, specifically. It would be rather self-serving to agree excessively with that specific point. Instead, she turns expectantly to Aryia's response. The words are not entirely expected yet, in the end, she is not surprised. When her faces turns back to Seldan... something must be terribly wrong.

There is a smile upon Verna's lips, if a light and slender thing. "You are most humble, Seldan, and yet you are no more immune to a chilled neck than the rest of us." It is then that the words of the gnomish tongue greet her ears and she turns again to glance in Jinks' direction with mild curiosity.

The Goblin's impending arrival is heralded by music. Specifically, a violin. The tune is jaunty, bouncy, made for walking, clapping and dancing to. Definitely inspired by Elven music. A few other instruments seem to accompany her, the somber beat of a drum, and the light flutter of a flute.

Acedia makes her way from the warehouse district into the Garden, accompanied by several flashing lights that orbit her, and several children that follow along behind her. These disperse as she steps into the relative peace of the verdant green.

Jinks sets off after sliding his hands into gloves of soft leather. He alternates between words and melody, a piecemeal and jigsaw sort performance that trails off at the gobber's more boisterous arrival. A few more steps down the path and he's detouring closer to a few familiar faces, grinning softly in mild amusement.

Zeke blinks at the next words and the mild implication that he might be a recipient of such a gift. Embarrassed by Seldan's inclusion of him into the mix he glances downward. "Thisss one isss aware that thossse that were there for Eclavdran'sss end were thanked in an article of the Tribue. They, more than anyone desserve thanksss." He looks at Aryia then, his green eyes soft. "But alssso you. If you had not worked ssso hard to free thosss people who were trapped asss ssstatuesss, and informed usss all of the involvement of the nobless, we would not have known. There are a great many who dessserve thanksss."

Like Verna, his gaze flickers subtly toward Jinks, but he has no familiarity with the gnome. Unlike the goblin whom is also approaching. Her, he recognizes and his tail sets to swaying once again. This time in time to the music.

The strains of music catch Seldan's attention first, first Jinks', and then the familiar violin. "It is even as he says. There are a great many who are deserving. That you acknowledge is a great thing, and deeply am I grateful for it."

He turns, then, towards the direction of the sound, blinking at gnome and gobber alike. "Her light upon your path," he greets Jinks more reservedly, but his eyes are on Acedia. "There is one who should be told of that event, if indeed she does not already know. Likely it is that she will bite me for not including her."

Aryia waves to those that arrive, her giving a light smile. Her relaxing some as she hears the music. Though, she rubs her neck at the mention of freeing those people. Scribble scribble scribble. Present to Zeke.

"I know, I have a lot of scarves to make."

Even as Acedia comes to a halt next to Seldan and Zeke, she continues to play, bringing the song to an end a few long moments later. She swats at the flashing lights, and the drum and flute accompaniment fall silent. She offers a deep curtsey, before she moves to hug at Seldan, and then Zeke.

"Seldan, Zeke!", the Gobbo says boisterously, followed by enthusiastic waves to Aryia, Jinks and Verna.

She cants her head slightly, her eyes narrowing at Seldan. "What exactly should you have included me on?" Ace wonders of the other Paladin. "You might have erred going without your armor today, it does make it easier to bite." She grins toothily at the man, and then giggles.

"Coyote laughs, tallman," the gnome offers Seldan as return of serve, tilting his head to smile upwards. A narrowing of the eyes is time enough to place Acedia and he answers the animated wave with half of a bow. He puffs into his cuffed hands and slides through the loose group, hopping up into the seat Verna's just vacated. A few buttons undone and he's fishing out his flask.

Considering Zeke he offers a simple cant of the head, then a wink at Aryia. The cap of his flask grinds quietly as it twists open.

Zeke returns Aceida's hug gently as he nods to Aryia. Agreeing with her statement. There are many to thank for the effort of defeating Eclavdran, and he is glad that he got to thank her. He nods his head low then to Jinks, and offers formal greetings to him and to Aceida. "Peassce on your nesstss."

Seldan, too, returns Acedia's hug, although he has his eyes on Jinks. The greeting is not lost on him, and tells him a few things, but he merely offers a polite smile that acknowledges the greeting for what it is and turns back to Acedia. "Eclavdran is no more," he answers. "The temple keeps you busy indeed."

Aryia gives a soft smile to the others, her glancing to Jinks and softly snickers from the wink. The mute looked... far more relaxed than before, and her gaze grows to a light pensive expression as the others talk and and catch up.

Aryia gives a soft smile to the others, her glancing to Jinks and softly snickers from the wink. The mute looked... far more relaxed than before, and her gaze grows to a light pensive expression as the others talk and and catch up.

The Gobbo nods to Zeke, "And peace on yours!" She glances around and then focuses on Seldan.

Acedia blinks at what he says. "What?" She blinks a few more times, and then her expression falls.. Then she plants her face into Seldan's stomach, and proceeds to bawl her eyes out.

"Peace on your nest," Jinks echoes are a moment clearing his throat and humming. He stretches his jaw after and looks to Seldan. A lean to one side and he mutters at Aryia in the trade language, '(did we have a bet about the Great Work? I feel like someone owes me money...)' <draconic>

Zeke swishes his tail once at Jink's words in his mother tongue and seems to relax slightly. At least... until Aceida begins to cry. Then his attention falls on her and he stands there, patting her on the head gently and trying to figure out why she might be so upset at the happy news. "Ascedia... Ascedia." His voice is gentle and calming.

Of all reactions that Seldan was expecting to get, that wasn't it. He wraps an arm around her shoulders awkwardly, clearly not entirely sure what to do, and just stays there, with only a brief glance over at the conversation in another language.

Aryia falls into a seat next to Jinks, her closing her eyes as Ace starts to sob. Happy tears, thankfully. She pulls up her facemask some, letting it rest on her neck to keep the chill out.

A long ear twitches from the whispering, her glancing down at the man. She sighs, rifles around in her pocket, then drops a few loose gold into Jinks' waiting palm. She nods slowly. The mute thought it would be a purge. Not a block.

The Gobbo is inconsolable for a short while, simply letting it all out. But eventually she goes silent, still clinging to Seldan. "That creature has haunted my nightmares for so long.", she mumbles, hiding her face. "It wasn't enough to have killed me. And now I find I've missed out on putting paid to that monster."

Jinks looks at the coins for a moment and then balls his hand, turns it over, and drops them back to Aryia. "We'll call it square for the vouivre," he mutters, trying not to intrude on Acedia's grief. He has his own thoughts on the matter of archdevils but doesn't share them, just frowns and takes a drink. The muscles in his jaw flex at the spirit's strength and he sets the hand that just returned Aryia's coin to rubbing his chest inside the coat.

Zeke blinks at Acedia's words and pulls his hand away. Looking down at her in a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Put paid? What doesss thisss mean? Are you not pleasssed that he isss gone Asscedia?" The sith-makar is clearly confused by her reaction and by what she has said, his hands hovering in the air around her semi-protectively.

Seldan is silent at the answer. It would seem that he has no answer to that, and so he merely stands in awkward silence while Acedia sobs, occasionally attempting to stroke her hair but otherwise quite rooted to the spot in which he stands.

"I am pleased that he's gone, at last. It's a huge weight lifted from me.", Ace says, looking to Zeke, sniffling. "But I wanted to be the one to do it. To be able to say I bested my own nightmare." She glances back to Seldan. "I wanted to be strong."

Aryia takes the coins back and gives a light nod towards Jinks.

She merely watches the exchange, her giving a slow sighs. The mute eaches forward, lightly patting Ace on a shoulder. "You are strong. You're here." <Handspeech>

"What about Aya?" Jinks wonders. He'd had another drink and meant to wait until things had calmed down a bit but finds impatience winning the day. Still, he makes an effort to put the question out casually-- an effort betrayed by the set of his jaw and the way he sits forward on the bench.

"You are ssstrong." Zeke echoes Aryia's statement with his own words, firm ones that are certain of themselves. "Thisss one knowsss sssuch, and you know sssuch. Do not let thessse thoughtss of who landed what final blow consssume you Asceida. Thisss one too wissshess that aid could have given with thesse clawsss, but it matterss only that it isss done."

His head rises at Jink's statement and he shakes his head slowly, uncertainly. "Thisss one hasss not heard of any ssighting of her sssince sshe killed the man that sshe ssent a gift to." He holds his empty claws up and shrugs. A motion learned from soft-skins to be sure. "Ssshe ssseemss to be a demon now."

For his part, Seldan remains silent, his thoughts his own, his head bowed, over the scarf in his hands.

Acedia glances to the hand upon her shoulder, and reaches up her own to squeeze it gently. "T-thank you. It doesn't feel like it, much of the time.", she says softly.

To Zeke, she shrugs lightly. "It was something to look forward to, yes?" She lets out a huff of breath. "But you are certain, Seldan? Eckles is gone? No coming back?"

The Gobbo rubs at her eyes. "Sorry. It's a relief. A shock. It kinda just wanted to get out..."

Ariya gives a light smile to Ace, her squeezing the shoulder and pulling back.

The question posed makes Aryia's visage grow firm. She takes a breath in. Then slowly exhales.

"She alive, all over Charn. And needs help. Cesran is trying to find her," she signs slowly. The light in her eyes shine brighter. "We can't forget her too. I-I made her a scarf. If the fucker is gone, then... nothing should be holding her. So... she needs help." Her hand trembles faintly.

But she ends up shaking her head, softly sighing and signing, "But now's not the time for that. There's... things here we have to clean up." She slowly stands, dusting her jacket off.<Handspeech>

"Mulria's sideways smile," Jinks leans back, a humorless smile on his face. He rocks forward and hops off the bench, gesturing with his flask. "Aya did what she did for Lily and for Cryosanthia." A pause to scoff, "'She might be a demon now...'"

The wind falls out of the gnome's sails mid-rant when Aryia begins gesturing. He sighs heavily and nods his jewel-laden head, "Good. She shouldn't be doomed for doing the wrong thing for the right reason."

A turn to glance at Zeke, "I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that."

Zeke admittedly.... doesn't know handspeech. Even slowed down as it is, he simply doesn't know what the strange symbols mean. He looks at Seldan though, and realizes that he's been lax in his duties and shakes his head. Only for Jinks to become quite upset with him. Once the gnome has calmed he quickly makes sure that the other knows that no harm was done. "It isss alright. Thisss one isss fine, but thisss one mussst go. We are due for our repassst, and thisss one hass other dutiess to attend to." He nods low to the pair. "Thiss one wisshess you both well."

Aryia gives a slight bow at the waist to the two departing, and she looks over to Jinks. The mute nods sharply. "Peace on your nest," she replies to Zeke, then returns northbound. Time to make more scarves. <Handspeech>

-End