Scene: Bound to the Moon

An'thirya is currently studying in the library of Eluna, as she examines a tome with silver inlays on brown leather with some degree of interest. The title on it is, "The Champions of Starlight" in Tradespeak's alphabet as she seems to be flipping through it with rapt interest. For those aware of the tome, it recounts particularly influential individuals throughout history who had served Eluna with particular focus. Some clerics, some paladins, and some still others who had found their way to serve the Lady of Dreams above other deities.

Astaren is making his way through the library and grabbing a couple of books. He flips one open and glances through and nods to himself. He walks by An'thirya's table and drops off the book, "The stars say this is the book you should be reading next. A book on celestial entities who serve Eluna, and pacts. You will find something of interest, and this will help clarify." The man offers with a smile, "Enjoy." turning to start walking off.

Blinkblink. An'thirya is fairly surprised at this. "...You... Wait." she says, "I was contemplating that idea, but I hadn't the foggiest where I would begin. I had just even found out that it was possible scarce moments ago. This is rather fortutious, but I've no idea who you are."

Astaren chuckles and smiles, "Astaren De'Centi, Seer and Evoker, Dreamer of Eluna. Oh dear." Blinking a moment, "Am I really already collecting so many titles? My apologies, the key part is dreamer, the stars make sense to me and sing their songs. Sometimes I gain some insights, and many things are possible."

"Excuse me," shuffles in a dark haired Khazad, "I borrowed this book from a priest here but I've not been able to return it to him. Can soemone see it reaches him?" A thick time is held up by the doorway by Dubtle.

"Well that explains it." An'thirya says, "I'm curious as if you'd like more information on this matter. Not everyone goes /looking/ for a pact. Fewer still with a good deity. Isn't the standard stereotype for those who seek shortcuts to power fiendish contracts?" then pauses, "...That's not why I'm doing this though, it's more about having a moral anchor."

Astaren waves over to Dubtle, "You can leave the book with me, I will make sure it gets home and back on the shelves." The man does not have his holy symbol under his robes, so the shiny silver crescent moon holy symbol of Eluna is in full view. A glance back to An'thirya, "Well a pact with a good creature will challenge you, and make sure you are ever learning how to define your morality, and offer its power when you have earned it. Very different then a fiendish pact, where they are taking your free will in exchange for a perception of power, or a furthering of their own goals."

"I'm willing." An'thirya says, "A guide is something I feel... Perhaps I should have. That, and as I've said before I have some degree of concern over my soul's state. Taara by default, lays claim to each and every one of the mul'niessa, even as we often exult in her choice of us. Yet what does it say of us when a deity such as she chooses a people? Shall we call it glory or shame? I would think the latter."

Aya steps into the courtyard, casually glancing up at the pillars and the sky above. The moon might not be risen yet, but that doesn't bother her in the slightest.

Astaren nods slowly at that, "True, though it is not my place to comment on Taara's hold or not, but as an Elunite, I tend to find myself at odds with her objectives." Grinning a moment, "To claim something as your own, that has the will of choice is to always have conflict with those you claim. Seek understanding, your path will be difficult indeed."

"I never thought it would be easy." An'thirya says, "I'm defying centuries if not millennia of tradition and influence. It's going to be an uphill battle, insofar as those who scale mountains are going uphill." she says, "But it's not somethign I plan to change either. Submitting to Taara is worse than death to me. If she wants me, she'll have to break my soul into a thousand pieces first, and claim each one."

"Somber talk for temple, isn't that?" Aya now voices her opinion after bits of the conversation reach her ears. One snowy brow is arched as she looks to those gathered, and specifically the speaker.

"Oh!"

The arrival of Aya startles Dubtle. He had no idea he was standing so lose to a SHadow Elf and he looks a bit unsettled. "I'm sorry," he offers to her. He offers the book toward Astaren, though since he volunteered.

Astaren makes a motion of his hand and the book is grabbed by magic and floats on over to Astaren. He glances at the title and nods, then with another motion of his hand it goes flying off and places itself into the bookshelves. "Thank you." To Dubtle. Then grins over to Aya, "For all the wrongs in the world, sometimes one must stop and contemplate them seriously. Only then can we truly appreciate what is good in the world." Motioning over to An'thirya, "Like this woman here, a difficult path, but one she will have plenty of help with."

"Taara's clergy is no friend to me." An'thirya says, "They've cost me too much." she notes, "And in turn, Taara herself... I have a great deal of enmity towards her, and that's all you need to know. Even though her enemies preach forgiveness... She may never get it from me."

Aya dips her chin to the khazad to acknowledge him, but seems not surprised that she startled him. She seems far more interested in her fellow mul'niessa. The other brow lifts. "It sounds as if you suffered greatly at the hands of the clergy. What right do others have to expect you to forgive?"

"Some concept of goodness. Some idea that anger will destroy me as easily as it leads me to destroy others." An'thirya says, "...Maybe it will. Maybe it won't. But Taara's interests are squarely mine to grind beneath my feet. If someone wants to stop me, they can join them."

Astaren shakes his head, "I have no experiences with the clergy of Taara, I am sure I will someday, not looking forward to it." He glances to one of the books in his hands and hmmms a moment then looks back to Aya and An thoughtfully.

Looking at the second book Astaren brought her, An'thirya arches an eyebrow. "...Trials are not unheard of for those whose character is in doubt, as Eluna does not bestow her power on the corrupt for misuse but the wayward may sometimes find her favor due to the positive influence of these contracts." she notes. Looknig up at Astaren she then says, "May I keep this book for a time? It's an interesting topic, cetainly."

"No." An'thirya says, standing up as she puts the book down. "I do not fear them." as she takes some steps towards Aya. "They are not a threat either, not to the whole of Ea nor to me. And that is why I am sure I can break them." then pauses. "...Excuse me." she says, walking back for the book and walking out of the library as bumps into Aya rather intentionally on her way out.