What shall we do with a broken bloodline
Log Info
- Title: What shall we do with a broken bloodline
- Emitter: Seldan
- Characters: Seldan, Cryosanthia, Halanaestra, Karasu, Darius, Zant, Acedia, Kira
- Place: A14: Sage Orum's Plaza, University District
- Time: Monday, April 06, 2020, 12:39 PM
- Summary: Seldan's sword has raised the topic of his lack of offspring again, while he is out in public. Cryosanthia arrives, looking for him, to say she wishes to discuss something in private. Hearing the sword speaking, she inserts herself into the conversation. Others arrive, Karasu with his familiar Wayu, who also chastizes the blade. Darius with his daughter and entourage. Zant is removing books from the library, and Lady Octagna, the Head librarian, is not happy with that. Cryo makes a few suggestions, and the sword ignores her, so she make them again to the tune of sailing shanty. This is not received well. Merek informs that the gobbo-kaiju of Merkabah has been destroyed. The topic moves to sith-makar relationships, how most of their familiar bonds are weak and they don't appreciate strong human ones. It goes from there, to the topic of cihuaa, which Cryosanthia clearly does not want spoken about. Several continue to do so, prompting her to politely tell Seldan to shut up, at which point she leaves.
-=--=--=--=--=<* A14: Sage Orum's Plaza, University District *>-=--=--=--=--=-
Named after one of Alexandria's most learned (and perhaps addled) minds, the new University District of the city contains a number of entertainment spots as well as areas of culture and learning. Though many structures and sculptures can be found here, two buildings dominate the plaza with an air of friendly animosity--the grand buildings of the Society for Progressive Arcanists and the Artificer's Guild.
Poised on opposite sides of the central plaza, the two face one another like old misers, each uncertain as to what the other's up to, and pranks between students are a rule of thumb. A series of levies and fines exists should they get too far out of hand, though at times the results may be spectacular. Performers often make use of the great plaza by filling it with music, and rare is the visit without passing a performer's hat or three, five, or nine. Likewise, ramshackle shops selling every sort of magic bauble line the ways, all of varying (and often questionable) quality. A grand statue of Sage Orum overlooks it all, his expression slightly perplexed perhaps, at its mixture of grandeur, invention, glass-filled baubles, and chaos.
At the far end of the area, is the city library. From public records to research into the history of the city and the region itself, there is much one can learn at the city library. Many stories tall, the building towers up over well-lit, tightly-packed cobblestone streets.
In the distance, the Redridge Mountains rise overhead in all their glory. At their peaks, one can see the airships docking, landing, and flying off again under the banners of not only Alexandria but many great nations.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
-=-=-= Appearing, in Order -=-=-= Seldan 5'11" 187 Lb Human Male Red-blonde Eldanar man wearing Eluna's colors and symbol. Cryosanthia 6'9" 267 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. Halanaestra 5'1" 120 Lb Dawn Elf Female Brunette|Emerald Green Eyes|Athletic|Elf Karasu 5'9" 125 Lb Human Male Clearly a man of Xian decent with dark hair and eyes. Darius 6'4" 240 Lb Human Male A tall, stocky and muscular human warrior. Zant 6'0" 190 Lb Human Male Olive-skinned, wild-haired young man in simple clothes Acedia 3'4" 39 Lb Goblin Female An ebon-skinned Goblin in leather armor. Kira 5'0" 120 Lb Human Female A young blonde woman wearing simple robes. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
It is a bit unusual, outside of the guards, to see armor in Sage Orum's plaza, normally home to those of a magical or pseudo-magical bent, whether that be Temple students, arcanists, artificers, or simply those engaged in similar arts. Yes, amid the bustle of hawkers, buskers, students, and teachers upon this fine, sunny spring morning, there is someone in armor, sitting on one of the benches, his swordbelt across his knees. True that Seldan wears an open-front robe over the armor that looks more appropriate to an arcanist than a warrior, but a warrior he most definitely is -
And is engaged in an -argument- with the longsword across his knees. Indeed, it sounds like there are five or six voices engaged in the lively discussion.
"You really oughtn't to be wasting your time with this fae nonsense, Seldan. You know as well as I that there's a demon involved in all of this, that's the more dangerous target, and you know it." The admonitory voice is young, male, and light.
Another voice chimes in, this one again male, older, and with a definite khazadi sound. "He's right. Not all fae are evil, and this one is a nuisance, sure, but the demon is far more dangerous."
"For all we know, it could be the fae and the demon together." The third voice is female, fairly young and low in timbre.
The man in armor stares down at the blade, expression set. "A fae that engages vampires and experiments upon the mortal races, and makes use of the dead, is evil enough,and well you know it."
The standout armour has drawn the attention of at least one person. A white-scaled sith-makar woman wearing layered wizard robes moves purposefully through the crowd towards the seated paladin. She walks swiftly in a commanding manner, expecting others to get out of her way. They don't always, and in those moments she is a blur of white scales and fabric moving around them. She is tall, with horns, a crest, with patterns formed by the palest of blue scales amongst her white ones. Her robes are a similar colour choice, white, with pale blue trim, and pattern panels that on close inspection have alternating dragoneyes and snowflakes. She arrives, casting a shadow across the sword on his lap. The air seems cooler in her presence. "Seldan. Peace on your Scabbard. Greetings Fallia, Tisa, Gollain, others."
No doubt a rare sight outside the temple, the young Llyranesian Cleric of Althea is out for a walk when her attention is also brought to the goings on. It's not often one comes across a Paladin speaking to their blade and it speaking back. While curiosity would get most, Halana chooses to simply find a place to sit near by, though being as she's dressed in her hearthguard vestments she stands out like a sore thumb and is no doubt noticed by most. For now, she's content to sit and listen to the goings on.
A raven floats calmly and without a care across the fair-weather sky. It circles and wheels through the area with nary a care in the world being trailed at a slow even pace by a xian man in the robes of his homeland. It's his adherance to the clothing and bearing of Xian that make him somewhat stand out, but his placid manner makes him seem largely unremarkable. He strolls calmly through the plaza, clearly on his way to somewhere when the raven decides to make a landing somewhat near to Seldan and Cryosanthia. It eyes them sharply and with more intelligence than a crow has any right to and hops toward Halanaestra. It lets out a claxing caw and eyes her for good measure even as the xian man catches up to it. "Wuya, be polite."
Definitely not someone with a magical bent, indeed, the warrior in full armor walks in and looks around and shudders. He is accompanied by a small half-Sil teenaged girl who wears similar armor and a huge purple panther that acts like a pampered housecat. The man seems to be speaking to the girl and a huge ornate broadsword sheathed on his back. "Ddraig... why are we here? You know I dislike..." the words are ground from him, "Magic..." The girl pipes up and says, "Daaaaaaad, we're here so that you can get my sword enchanted..." Darius looks down at the girl and says, "Yes yes..." The sword pipes up, "I say, for a supposed 'Great Mecenary', you're a proper wanker aren't you? Imagine, being afraid of mag..." He's cut off quickly by Darius, "Oh shut it, you miserable excuse for a magic sword! I'm not afraid of... magic... I just have... great respect for it, is all..." The girl, Aika, covers her mouth and looks away, giggling mightily at her father before looking around and saying, "Looks like we're not the only one's here!" She says brightly.
Seldan looks up as the lizard-shaped shadow falls over him, and smiles, his recognition clear. "Cryosanthia, peace upon your nest." The sound of other voices in the area abruptly reminds him that others are listening, and he nods politely to those listening.
The sword, too, responds. "There ain't no peace in this scabbard, my dear." The voice from the sword this time is an older man, a crotchety and short-tempered sound.
"Too true," agrees another older voice, this one kindly and female if rather nasal. "Though usually it is you we tire of, Kanian."
"Not this time, it's Zee who's on about the demon this time. He's really quite right, though."
The entire discussion stops cold, though, as Darius approaches the area. "Seldan ... there is another like us," the nasal female voice warns, dropping the topic entirely.
Seldan immediately looks around, in more detail, although more puzzled than worried. "Cryosanthia, I would speak with you, but not here."
"Oh! Kanian, this one apologizes for forgetting to name you, and hello Zee! This one is Cryosanthia, an old friend of Seldan's." The white-scale winks, "That's the joke."
She nods to the paladin, "Yes, This one would too, and not here also." She looks around, the bench does not accomdate tails well. She sits catycorner on the edge of it, knees together and angled towards Seldan, hands on her lap. She does a quick scan of the crowd before leaning towards the man and hissing quietly, "I know the importance of secrecy. It iss urgent but can wait. Faran iss monitoring."
The crow gets her attention next. Cryo watches it.
The sword was about to make another snide remark to Darius before it stops and says, "My word! I do believe there's another of my kind around! Hello hello! I am Ddraig, a former ancient red dragon transmogrified into this hunk of metal by a..." Darius cuts it off with a tired, "Yes yes, transformed into this sword by a jealous ultra powerful wizard after you decided to court his lovely sister... Hello there, I am Darius, a mercenary that works with the Adventurer's Guild, this is my adopted daughter Aika..." He pauses and the girl straightens, gives a huge grin and waggles her fingers, "Hi there! I'm the sunshine to his cloudy day!" Darius was about to continue and then turns and gapes at his daughter, who giggles at him and says, "What? It's the truth! You're always so serious and stern and all that... no wonder you still haven't found a wife yet... you're so boring!" Darius simply says tiredly, "Let's not hash out my love life or lack thereof please..." He continues, "And this is my familiar, Fluffy... do not worry though, she is quite harmless and more likely to love you to death then bite you..." He shrugs.
Down the stairs of the library walks... a giant stack of books on legs? What?
Well, no. It's actually the dual-scarved Truthsayer that is Zant, carefully maneuvering his way on downwards with books piled up within his arms so high that they reach a foot or so above his own head. He manages to keep them balanced there, at least, but it does require him to do some careful, slow movement along the stairs while he does. He might be muttering something about how he should have brought a cart or something with him.
When the olive-skinned man's green eye manages to catch the sight of Cryosanthia sitting with someone over on the bench there, his expression brightens up a bit and he instinctively brings one hand into a cheerful wave accompanied by an equally cheerful, "Heeeey, Cryo!"
...Unfortunately, the redirectin of one of the arms supporting the stack of books ends up resulting in the stack of books getting sent to a precarious sway. Zant at least has the sense of mind to realize this, and in a panic, sets the arm back around the structurally-unsound tower, trying to regain balance to it while his own steps stumble a bit. "Wah! Wawawawawawah!" Thankfully, the sway calms down eventually, without a catastrophic tip, and he comes to a stop with it too, letting out a sharp breath of relief. "Saaaafe..."
Only for the one book on the very top of the stack to end up tipping over and falling corner-first onto the top of his head. Although he grimaces visibly in pain, the rest of the books don't follow... leaving him with the giant stack of books minus one in his arms, and looking down at the single escaped tome on the curb with an utterly defeated expression.
The crow, being that it is an intelligent creature, flies aloft at the sight of such a large preditor to its kind stalking closer. Fluffy or no, such an animal is to be respected. The xian man shakes his head at the crow, with an air of fondness that doesn't quite show on his features and seems about to say something - likely to Cryosanthia - but he is inturupted by Zant's arrival. Instead then, he moves to pick up the man's forlorn book and after briefly eyeing the cover adds it to the pile which had nearly capsized. "Are you in need of assistance?"
Cryosanthia is immediately on her feet, "Zant! You can't take books from the Library! Lady... Lady Murderous Ex-Guard Orc Head Library will come after you! There's a no book removal policy! She shook Merek around by his neck like a kitten! Get them back inside, hope there aren't scratches!"
Halana can't help but look up and stare at what's going on, this is all, really quite not normal for her and very much new. For now, she'll again choose to simply watch and listen, because she doesn't know a single person present.
Zant gives another relieved sigh with Karasu picking up the tome and setting it back on the pile. The terribly tall pile that really should not have been given to any single man to carry alone, but there it is. "Thank you! Thank you! No, I'm fine, I just need to be more careful."
But then! Then the color starts to drain from his face when Cryosanthia comes approaching with her words of warning, staring back wide-eyed at the Sith. "E-...eeehh?! Is that her actual name?! ...Wait, no, that can't be..." Of course that can't be her actual name! "But wait! No, these texts were requested by the Temple, they sent me to get them with a written missive and everything..."
After a few seconds of mulling things over, color disappears from his face all over again. "AH! That's why she looked so unhappy! Aaaaah I changed my mind I do need assistance! IS THERE A SCRATCH ON THAT BOOK ON THE TOP?!"
The xian man himself steps back from the books hearing that they have a mistress guarding them, and a formidable one at that. "I did not see any harm done to the book by its fall, no." His voice is in all likelihood not overly comforting given that his tone is flat and unemotional. He takes another step back from Zant and the crow lands evenly on his shoulder to caw. It sounds mocking that caw, and the man looks over at the bird as though it has said something insulting. When he speaks again his tone is gently reproachful. "Wuya."
"It is not my name."
There is a heavy footfall behind Zant. There is an angry orc, glaring at the white sith, glaring next at Zant. "I'm Lady Octagna, Head Librarian. Not Ex-Guard Murderer."
It wasn't exactly what was said, but close enough. She certainly looks like someone who might murder guards, making them ex-guards. An elder orc woman, with a heavily lined face criss-crossed by scars. "And there is a scratch. Get those books back inside! THEN! Let me see that writ."
"A fine weapon indeed," Seldan agrees, but is promptly cut off by the irascible old man's voice. "Seldan, how dare you? We are far superior, and you know it! And talking about -his- love life? Oh, we could talk about yours for days!"
"Kanian, -enough-." There's an edge beneath Seldan's tone, and he grits his teeth. "That is no affair of yours. Do you make much of it again, I shall stuff you in the haversack, see if I don't." He rises, with a smile of apology to both Darius and Aika. "Well met, Darius. I am Seldan Padaryn of the Silver Guard." A paladin of Eluna, then. "I suspect that they are merely jealous."
Silence falls as Lady Octagna approaches the group, and Kanian takes the opportunity. "Well, if you don't want to keep hearing it, you'd best stop shaming the family and find yourself a wife."
The Hearthguard rises to her feet, situates herself, and makes for the temple, no doubt something calling her there. There's always another time to learn more nad meet more people, now is not that time.
Zant's stance immediately rigids up, and his face turns much paler than his natural skin color should even *permit*. Slooooowly, his head turns, until he can peek back over to the elderly orc towering over him from behind.
"...Yes, ma'am," is all he manages to squeak out, before turning himself around, CAREFULLY, to facing the stairs to the library (and consequently Lady Octagna). "U-um... I gave the writ to the elven clerk, the one wi-with the... round glasses and the red hair, uh... she should stll have it or archived it..." A look is sent back to Cryosanthia, when he sets to following the Orc back upstairs. If you don't see me again, remember me!
Darius peers at Seldan then and just gives him that nod, the kind men do that let the other know exactly how they feel, the kind women don't understand or want to. He then looks at the Orc Librarian and raises an eyebrow, but says nothing even as Aika pipes up, "Wow! You're really strict!"
Cryosanthia returns the elder orc's gaze with passive composure. Strange, she remembers being a lot more frightened before. It's an interesting feeling. The white-scale sith nods her head, and replies with calm words. "This one apologizes, Lady Octagna, your name slipped my mind. It shall not again."
With that said she slips back down to sit beside Seldan. Her tailtip twitches, she glances at Seldan, then the scabbard, "I... do have some ideas..."
Cryo nods, watching Zant vanish into the library. He will be sought out if he doesn't return.
Lady Octagna follows the truthsayer, growling, "I bet it's another name I don't recognize. Well they can come down here and tell me why they think they should take my books and 'forget' to return them from their shelves. Every. Damn. Day. Walk will do them good."
At the top of the steps, just before going inside the elder orc looks at the little girl with a somewhat softened expression. Limestone, say, instead of granite, "Without strict rules there'd be no books in the library. They'd all walk themselves out."
Subtly the xian man looks at Seldan's sword. It's just a flicker of a glance, but then it's difficult to ignore the sword. Wuya hops off of the man's shoulder and flies toward Seldan, cawing and calling, flying around the paladin in what is clearly angry-bird mode. A soft sigh escapes the man and he watches the bird for just a moment for speaking in a commanding tone. "/WUYA/." The bird lands on the bench and is clearly saying something that is very rough language if one happens to speak crow, and all of it aimed toward the paladin. "I apologize for Wuya, really he should know better than to act this way."
Seldan turns bright pink at Cryosanthia's remark, but does not reply, instead directing a decidedly level stare at the bird and its rough language. He says nothing, though, and appears decidedly unimpressed, instead nodding to Karasu. "Did naught but a bird harangue me this day, I should deem my life simple indeed." The words are colored with that Myrrish accent, and a small but genuine smiles. "You need apologize for nothing. The next bird I meet that has any manners at all might be the first, but I do not wait with bated breath for it to be so."
On his lap, the sword pipes up again, and this time it's two or three voices at once, that quickly become five or six, all with suggestion on who Seldan ought to marry, and whether that person is here or elsewhere, and what the implications are for generations long dead. It quickly becomes rowdy, with voices known and not.
"I-I-I... was just told to bring them over..." Zant practically whimpers quietly. He must surely know that this isn't a fight he can win, judging from the tone of his voice and the expression on his face both. And seeing how obediently he gets back into the library with the books in arms and Head Librarian in tow.
A berating is occuring inside the library. It appears directed both towards the Truthsayer and the young librarian who let him leave with all the books. It continues for a short time, at which point the truthsayer is allowed out, but the books remain.
Cryosanthia sits demurely and watches Seldan and the various amusing skin shading tricks he performs. They always seem to delight this particular sith-makar. The edges of her mouth are curled up, her tailtip twitches, she seems ready at any instant to make it worse. A certain eagerness in the way she perches on the bench. Even seated she is quite tall, and while she has to look up at those standing around her, it's not by much.
"Well, my first thought was you could adopt. It would continue your name, not your bloodline. This one is unsure if that's an acceptable option. It is, for some."
The angry bird flapping around draws some of her attention. Not enough to follow with her head, but she watches it when it moves into sight. "Wuya? That's a pretty name. Peace on your nest."
She's not had the greatest experience with birds either, but there could be a first time.
It takes a moment to realize, mostly because birds are generally not understood by humans, that the bird is not irritated or indeed talking to Seldan. Instead he seems to be irritably talking to Seldan's sword which in all likelyhood can understand him about as well as any human might understand a bird. This becomes apparent mostly because it caws and calls out at timely intervals in the swords conversation with itself. It might be however, that only the xian man notices this behavior. "It seems that it is your weapon that he has taken offense to. Wuya is usually better behaved." The man bows to Seldan, only half apologetic and mostly out of respectful introduction. "I am Karasu, and though you have already forgiven him I would again apoligize for my familiar who should be better behaved than one that is not."
The sword continues to carry on, blissfully unaware - or uncaring, one may fairly debate the point - of Wuya's haranguing. Indeed, it rapidly becomes quite the lively discussion, with suggestions devolving into ... other things. Seldan ignores it for the moment as well. "Seldan Padaryn of the Silver Guard," he introduces himself. "Would that the hour of our meeting was ... quieter."
"Absolutely not." Fallia is deadly firm on a point, although whether that point is Cryosanthia's suggestion or something else said is unclear until she goes on. "Our bloodline has continued for over 500 years, and with ...." She cuts off sharply, which gives others a chance to chime in. "No, he really needs a good woman. Besides, I don't think he really gets on all that well with Malik, not if he speaks his mind." Tisa speaks now, more casually than usual. "I don't think Malik is really even good, although he isn't a bad sort. He's just a bit too hedonistic to be good for you."
The gruff male, khazadi-sounding voice is next. "It's not as if he'd be the only hedonist in family. Why, I remember Chalandra when I was a boy, all those lavish parties and ..." Several other voices chime in. "There are some real prudes around here, though. I wonder why Tolly hasn't shown himself yet. Maybe he's as late in death as he was in life." "Tolly never wielded this blade, he hated swords. Good thing too, there wasn't a rock the man couldn't trip over, he'd likely have killed himself..."
Finally, Seldan, simply staring in red-faced shock at the blade, not looking at anyone else, mutters, "Truly is this the very worst of family reunions...of -course.-" He unsheathes the blade abruptly, and holds it point up before him. "I have searched long and hard for a fitting name, with little success, and it has just come to me. I name you ... Reunion."
Wuya, it seems doesn't mind being ignored, happy to add his two-cents in regardless of Karasu, or of the fact that he can not be understood. He does however fly away when Seldan draws his weapon, flying to Karasu's shoulder and finally falling - blessedly - silent. The man himself gives the bird a stern look that promises more conversation and then nods to Seldan. "A fitting name for the blade to be sure." His black eyes seem to be weighted with deep thoughts and he finally takes a step back. "But we are infringing upon your time and your privacy."
"Oh, no, no, no, don't attack his love. He will close his ears. You must take that as the most solid fact even if you don't understand it." Cryosanthia calmly chastizes the sword as well, although more politely than the bird. She sounds quite teasing when she adds, "I have wondered about some of you, why the insistence that the celestial in your line must have been female without knowing anything about it. Is that a misdirection, Fallia, Tisa, might it have been some strong winged male angel that drew your eye and that's why the topic is changed so swiftly?"
The white-scale sith leans in, grinning widely at both Seldan and down at the blade. Both her hands are placed on the bench, as if she might pounce. "It's nice to meet you all, Reunion. Here is my second suggestion for consideration. There are quite a many plots that follow the same formula, in plays and the Crimson pen, of the married couple and the addition of a maid."
"In some versions, the husband and wife are happily married, and the maid is a scheming gold-digger, determined to drive them apart and take his advantage. She is conniving and treacherous, the wife long suffering. In the second version, the wife is a bitter battle-axe, crushing her man, who seeks escape with the lively young thing who has become their maid, is pure of heart, is also long suffering. Variations incur demons, divine prophesies, it's all window dressing to the story of the thing, which could be tragedy or comedy, or both! To highlight the superiority of love, the treacherousness of relationships, the value of enduring. So many plot points. Opportunities for conflict. Great interest!"
Cryosanthia sits back, wriggling on her perch, her cold eyes glittering and gleaming, "You should pick the one where the marriage survives and the maid is gone, though I expect Reunion would drive for the other result."
If a sword could splutter, Reunion's reaction to its naming would be it. A dozen voices, all at once, burst out in incoherent outrage that comes across as nothing so much as a shouting, arguing crowd. Seldan holds it up, then lays the naked blade across his lap and looks up at Karasu. "I daresay I have precious little privacy to invade, my friend, thanks to Reunion here. You do not trouble me, and I would ask your forgiveness do I trouble you." The last is added with a frown, seeing the dark look.
The sword is far too busy being outraged to answer Cryosanthia at first, but at length, a low khazadi chuckle that can only be Golain is audible over the commotion that draws the eyes and stares of passersby. "He's got the right of it, I am sad to say. There's a reason I moved to the Sky Curtain as soon as I was of age."
Finally, Zant comes stepping down the stairs. After the very audible berating that took place within. Completley lacking in the books he was previously carrying on him, and with a rather embarrassed tone painted over his expression.
"Guuuh..." He sounds out woriedly once he's descended the last step, rubbing the tips of his index fingers together. "What am I going to tell the priest now...?"
The Gobbo is preceded by her music, a light touch on the violin, a song reminiscent of the sounds of the Veyshanti. Acedia is wearing a skyblue dress that spins and twirls about her as she moves, her wooden sandals click-clacking in time with the song. She slowly weaves her way through the Plaza, weaving in and out of the various statues, lampposts and passersby.
Her facial expression brightens further. "Seldan!", she calls out, and the sounds of click-clack-flip-flops gets closer much more quickly, as the song itself trails off. There may be a slightly-airborn Gobbo heading Seldan's way in three... two... one...
The white-scaled sith waves to Zant from where she's seated on the bench. She makes a small nod to Karasua, "This one is Cryosanthia, Speaker of the Sith-Makar, Peace on your Nest."
Her attention turns back towards Seldan, Seldan's blade. She adjusts her feet underneath the bench, still ready to pouce. Her words are calm, though there is an eagerness to them. "I understand Golain. Some relationships are best at a distance. This one hopes everyone is happy with the name. I think you might have asked, but, as I said before weapons are weapons. They have no choice in how they are weilded."
Cryo calls to the blade, "This one is curious, did you hear? I would hate to repeat myself. We are drawing a crowd. I might be compelled to dance and sing."
Cryosanthia leans back to remove herself from the homing missile in the shape of a goblin.
Karasu nods to Seldan, clearly showing respect to the paladin. Whatever thought lingered in the man's eyes is gone now, vanished like smoke on the wind. He looks at Cryosanthia instead, his voice steady and somewhat dry as he speaks to her. "I did not know that the sith-makar were so interested in the love-lives of the soft-skinned races." Wuya makes a soft sound and Karasu ducks his head, he acts as though /he/ at least understands the crow, at least enough to react to the bird's responses.
"It's ... it's an insult!" is about the only coherent thing that comes out of the sword at first, from several voices, to which Golain snaps, "It's the -truth-, you fools!"
There's more arguing, and Seldan simply stares helplessly at Cryosanthia at the very idea. "I don't think they heard you, Cryo...OOF!" Acedia flies through the air with the greatest of ease, landing atop the flat of the sword in his lap. It's a good thing for him that that lap is armored. "Acedia, what in-?"
The sword -echoes- the protest. "Oof! Ow! The world just went dark! Hey, put us back!"
At least it ended the argument?
Merek has taken the time to put on the nice black attire which he wears, silver on it along the trim while he begins to adjusting the scarf which he wears. There's a look to the people he comes upon with a wave, noting the commotion in addition. Acedia pages: Oh? :O
"He's my friend, I want him to be happy." Cryosanthia smiles happily up at Karasu, looking up at him and wobbling her head slightly, "Understanding softskin mating habits is important, so I can better understand you. This one thinks she has the thick of it, a song seems in order. Peace on your Nest Acedia. It's very nice to see you again."
The white-scaled sith-makar stands. She's a lot of lizard woman and looks down on Karasu now, easily a foot taller. She moves a short distance from the bench, to a gap in the crowd. She starts to sway, head staying in position, hips moving, snap her fingers to a beat. A little like a charmed snake.
"No, that won't do. Okay, I'll try again, with more energy. Join in if you know the tune. Remember Reunion, this song and dance is for you."
Cryosanthia starts dancing, slapping her tail to produce a regular and fast beat. As she does, her hands are twirling through motions while she twists her arms through poses. Arcane Gestures, cantrips cast over and over as part of a spell. Underneath her clothes, her arms are pulsing with swirls of light. The cantrips themselves evoke a ghostly orchestra, high speed strumming on some stringed instrument, other percussions. They don't last long but she keeps it up, sounding like she has her own accompanying band. Then, the sith-makar sings.
"How can we fix a broken bloodline, how can we fix a broken bloodline, how can we fix a broken bloodline? Padaryns be mourning!"
"Find a foundling adopt him iiin. Find a foundling adopt her iiiin. Find a foundling adopt them iiiini. Padaryns be mourning!"
"Hire a maid and knock her uuup. Hire a maid and knock her uuup. Hire a maid and knock her uuup. Seldan be declining."
Cryosanthia waves as she keeps the music going. "Come on everyone, join in, add a verse."
Kira enters the plaza with, possibly to the surprise of few, a large basket of bread. While not quite as fresh as that distributed at lunch, it's still isn't stale and is still nourishing. She lifts a hand to wave to those gathered, some known, some less so, though stops short of a greeting when singing starts. Instead, she blinks.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls perform/dance: (4)+10: 14 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls perform/sing: (9)+10: 19 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls perform/percussion: (7)+10: 17
Acedia laughs and tries to find purchase on Seldan's metal armor, giving the barest of squeezes for a hug. "Hi Seldan! I thought you might like a bit of cheering up, you seemed so serious a moment ago." She glances down at the sword. "Shush it for now, don't make me throw you off a bridge." The Gobbo chortles and eyes Seldan, laughing once more for a few moments. "So it looks like you have some news." She squints slightly and stares him in the eye. "That definitely looks like it..."
She stops suddenly and only then appears to notice Cryosanthia, and Karasu and Zant nearby. Her ebony cheeks darken ever so slightly. "And it appears as though I have thrown myself into the middle of a conversation... Again." As Cryosanthia begins to dance and sing, the Gobbo eyes the cantrips and spells being used. She can only stare, though, at the changed song lyrics. She seems torns between amusement and not amusement.
Karasu draws backwards to allow Cryosanthia to pass by, watcing her with interest as she begins her display. Despite the fact that it's not the best performance he's ever seen, it's quite catchy. Quitely, under his breath, Karasu murmurs to the paladin. "I hope that you two are close friends." It seems an earnstwhile wish. Wuya on Kaurasu's shoulder - a raven - rocks to the beat and seems to at least moderately approve of the show.
For the barest of moments, Seldan smiles at Acedia, returning the squeeze more gently than he would without armor, then taps her on the hip and motions to the sword, as if he wants to pull it out from under her.
At Cryosanthia's show, though, he tenses under Acedia's bottom, and his face drains of all color. "Cryosanthia, please." He says no more than that, carefully controlled and very quiet, but this time, he leaves the sword where it is and instead lifts a hand, drawing three quick, angry sigils. He speaks a phrase, and they burst into violet life right next to Acedia, where he draws a slash through all three sigils as a final gesture. "Leave my family out of it!"
Merek looks between the situation in thought, while he thinks about it. He then makes a way to where Ace and Seldan are, offering the Gobbo a light pat, while he smiles, then he motions to the Paladin's side a bit, "May I?" he asks. The man looks a bit in thought, a lot more than he usually is, though he does look a bit calmer. He does look to Cryosanthia, "Will she be alright?" he asks, a little earnestly.
Kira blinks again as Seldan makes sigils in the air, and she takes a quick step back. More a very quick several steps back as she backpedals in a rapid dart to put some distance between the two of them.
The spells shatter her music, only the beat of her tail remains, and that stops after two more thumps. Cryosanthia lets her hands hang at her sides, regards Seldan with an unreadable expression. She exhales, "It was not my best work. I'm sorry Seldan. This is tragedy for you and I'm treating it as too much comedy. I would not find much pleasure in mirth directed towards my troubles."
Karasu steps away as well, clearly having no desire to come between the pair. Yet he seems to change his mind after a moment and clears his throat to address Cryosanthia. "I am very familiar with the People. They do not see family as we do. The importance of honoring one's familial ties is lost among the People. Think of Seldan's sword as being his cihuaa, or his close-kin. Think of what it might mean to make a joke of his cihuaa's wishes for him to bring it to light among people that are /not/ his kin. This is what you have done to him."
The Gobbo blinks and partially recoils at the sudden burst of magic, though more at the sharp, precise movements of Seldan's hands. She quirks a brow at Seldan a moment, and looks to Cryosanthia. Her hand pats lightly at Seldan's knee, the noise of it probably more of an indicator than the actual feeling of it. "It is one of the bard's hardest learned skill, knowing the room. You can make fun of anything." Acedia looks Seldan in the eye. "Anything." Her glance returns to Cryosanthia. "It is just a matter of timing. One might see this as too soon." She offers a brief but bright smile. "Seldan is a Paladin. They have a reputation for being stolid. Of having a stiff upper lip. Of being a stick in the mud." Acedia again looks to Seldan and grins. "But do not forget that while he may wade through bloodshed and war, calm as calm can be, they have, like we all, things they hold most dear. People and places they will stand up for. Kill for."
The Gobbo bounces from Seldan's lap. "But they are also a person of restraint. I mean, Seldan doesn't mind my rude interruptions of important conversations. And he even risked a lot to save my life. Let's not tease someone in their moment of pain."
Kira's surprise softens to concern at all the talk of tragedy, joking, and pain. She looks to Seldan. "I'm sorry to hear that. What's wrong? Is there anything I can do to help?"
Seldan's eyes lower at Karasu's words, but he wears that closed demeanor that says that he controls himself carefully. "Cryosanthia, I know that much has happened, and this may be unfamiliar to you, but ... it is as he said." He nods briefly to Merek, both a greeting and an acceptance of the seating arrangement. "I do not hate you, and I am sworn not to harm you. I stand by that oath. Insult me as you wish. Do not insult my ancestors."
The sword finally pipes up, Fallia's tones colored with unbridled shock. "I never imagined ... if you weren't sworn...."
"Fallia, enough. She does not know." Seldan speaks very, very quietly. "It is not her way." When Acedia bounces from his lap, he lifts the sword and sheathes it, laying it oh-so-gently on the ground at his feet. "What is a 'cihuaa'?" he asks simply, directly, with a shake of his head at Kira.
Merek finds a place to nicely begin to settle in, while he looks between people, "I have an announcement to make. I went with a group, we fought with the creature from Merkabah. We won, while the place is far from safe, well. That's been managed. I... Well, I made sure it will not be back again after we won. I will put it that way."
Mention of a cihuaa seems to cut through whatever good humour the sith-makar was presenting. It drops away, shearing whatever warmth there was to her. Cryosanthia stands rigid and tall, her motions minimal, her tail stilled. The air is chill around her, and her breath is visible as a small mist even though the air should be too warm for it. She looks to Karasu, then Acedia, as they share their thoughts although with her expression it's hard to determine how she receives them.
Her voice is very flat and neutral when she finally speaks, "I see they are right. I have pushed too much. Ancestors, I apologize. Seldan, I still need to speak to you. When that time is suitable please find me. This one will go now."
Karasu nods low to Cryosanthia, accepting her change in demenor to mean that his words have gotten through. Quietly he addresses Seldan, watching the sith-makar. "Cihuaa is the chosen bond between two sith-makar. It is the closest relationship that two sith-makar can have. Like our marriage. I used it as an example because 'kin' is not as close among the People as 'family' is among ours. Nor are nest-parents similar enough to 'parents' to make a good example of given that sith-makar nest-parents give their children up to the tribe and caste at a young age." He shakes his head, but in a generally fond manner. "Our societies are very different, it is no surprise that there is sometimes misunderstanding."
Acedia pauses a moment, to lean into Merek, offering a brief hug before letting go, and cants her head slightly. "Oh, the Merkabeh Gobbo was taken down? What about the demon?" She move then to reclaim her spot in Seldan's lap, carefully reaching up a hand to his cheek. "Will you catch me up with what is happening with the plague and its masters? Perhaps after you and Cryosanthia have a talk? Did you want someone there with you?"
"I'm sure no one meant any offense," Kira offers optimistically in attempt to help, even indirectly.
Seldan listens to Karasu's words, accepting the climb into his lap, but his eyes are not on Acedia, not at first. They hold a world of empathy and sudden understanding, as they rest on Cryosanthia. "Your words to me concern Zeke." That isn't a question. He looks down at Acedia and nods, shortly. "Much has happened, and we are not out of danger. I shall tell you, when I have spoken to ...." He trails off. "Cryosanthia, it may help him to see Acedia. Will you permit it?"
"Of course not. I shall not harm her, and bear her no ill will." The last is said to Kira, with a brief glance over. Seldan pages: So you know, Acedia and Zeke go back before I joined the game.
Cryosanthia was turning to leave when Seldan's words stopped her. She looks directly at him, holds the look for some time. "I do not wish to discuss my cihuaa in the square."
She looks at Acedia, then Merek, around at the various others, then back at Seldan. She blinks, so she seems normal enough, but doesn't answer.
Karasu looks between Seldan and Cryosanthia and motions to Merek. "Perhaps we should leave them in privacy. I would hear more of your exploit." He is clearly trying to offer them a chance to speak without an audiance as much as that is possible in such a public space. He motions to Merek again, gently.
Kira didn't think anyone was going to harm anyone. It's good that there's no hard feelings, though it's not her business and she's not about to pry into what sounds like some very personal matters for more than one person. So she keeps quiet, now and thinks that the suggestion to leave them be may be best.
Merek just looks to people like he is perplexed about it, then he nods a bit, "It is not a wonderful story, what we did was not glorious. We did all of that from the necessity. We didn't fight with any of the demons, only that creature," he admits.
The Gobbo looks comfortable in Seldan's lap, but she looks to him again, and then Cryosanthia. "I am willing to let you speak alone, if it is none of my business." SHe ones more pops out of the Paladin's lap. "But this man saved my life, and Zeke also helped to save mine when I had the plague. If there is something happening with Zeke, if he needs help... and you leave me out...? To say I will be mad is an understatement."
"I will vouch for her, Cryosanthia." With the Gobber off of his lap, Seldan leans down, picks up Reunion, and stands. "She has fought this battle as long as any of us, and longer than some, including myself. She may be trusted, and has never been touched by Her. She may be able to help him, as she has helped many others. Come, we will speak in private."
"So you threaten me to include you in my personal affairs after you lecture me to stay out of Seldan's?" Cryosanthia asks Acedia. She sounds disinterested, oddly.
The paladin however gets a look. A very intent one, which unfortunately is inscruitable. "Please. Stop. Speaking. I need your assistance with a private matter and possibly some people you trust, but it. Can wait. Until we are elsewhere."
Cryo leaves without waiting for a reply. She's heading for the temple district, Seldan knows where to find her.
Karasu watches the exit of the sith-makar and nods to Merek. "I know not of what you speak at all. What creature did you fight?" It's clear that he's mostly trying to provide a distraction from the odd and tense situation that is slowly resolving.
Merek looks between everyone, and just stands up while he picks up his sword with him to place on the hip with a nod to people. "I... Need more time away from people than I thought. I've delivered news, if you need me, you can find me in the forest. If not there, then the desert. If not that, I am Planewalking." He looks world weary, though he doesn't show a lot of his emotion. He gives a light pat to Seldan's shoulder, another to Ace's, then a nod to Cryosanthia with a wave, then a nod to Karasu, and Kira. He things about the question from Karasu, "A goblin transformed in Merekabah, the Black Tech that is within the city, well it changes people."
The Gobbo cants her head. "No, I lectured you to not make light of Seldan's familial situation so soon after... whatever it was that happened.", she calls after Cryosanthia. Acedia looks to Seldan. "If at all possible, please let me know if things are well with Zeke. Be well." She raises an eyebrow. "Have you seen Malik about, lately?"
Seldan waits until Cryosanthia is gone, looking after her with an expression that only those who know him well might read. Only when she is out of sight does he turn to Acedia. "I would have you come with me. There is much to explain, and much that must be said, some of it outside of either of their presence." He looks down at her, finally, at the question about Malik. "I share a room with the man, and have not seen him much of late. I think him engrossed in his experiments."
The Gobbo offers Merek a wave, and a grin. "Well, good work in helping end the problem. Though... there is always something else behind the curtain, isn't there? What of Blar's political ambition? The point behind the making of the airship? But for now, I go..." Acedia nods to Seldan then. "Then I would hear it. And perhaps we should go and knock Malik out of his experiments later."
Karasu bows to those still aware of his presence, but makes his way away; the better to give privacy and space to those leaving. He's off on his way and back to whatever it was that he was doing before all of this.
