Pies
Tenebrae - Thursday, November 14, 2013, 8:32 PM
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple District *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The air of solemn, heavy divinity in the area is often broken by laughter. The dual presence of the deities Althea and Daeus, man and wife, stand towards the center, with their children and their children's temples positioned around them. The presence of the divine is felt not only by their temples, but also by the actions of their worshippers. The great plaza is as a social center, paved in brilliant, white flagestones and covered in benches and sitting areas. Priests, acolytes, and servicefolk of all stripes roam the plaza, going from one task to the other.
At the front of the temples of Daeus and Althea, at the Plaza's centermost point, rests a great fountain, the cheerful waters reflecting the Sun during the day, and the Moon and Stars at night. The fountain is strategically centered, and is oft a place for wisdom and lesson-giving. It is not uncommon for a priest of some stripe or the other to stand there, surrounded by the curious and faithful, delivering messages of hope or contemplation. At other times, it and the plaza become a landscape of celebration of the holy holidays.
Few vendors are seen in the plaza--the nearby temples provide most food or services. Towards the west, the great Bridge stretches across the river, and towards the east, the Redridge mountains. The plaza rests in the midst of it all, the temples massive and grand on the Alexandrian scale.
The temple district is in some ways the heart of the City. Right now, that heart is in shambles. Dressed in rubble, it's filled with volunteers, the sound of hammer, of foremen, the smell of sweat. To one side, someone's (or a bunch of someones) have pushed together a large table. Probably moved from the Althean area, and cobbled together from other parts, it spans a near quarter of the central courtyard, and is being filled by neighboring groups, men and women. Possibly it's also a thumbing of the nose versus the Queen.
Very possible.
Near one side, Svarshan's pushing an ale barrel into place. It says on the side: RAT POISON. But, Myrana puts that on all her barrels. Right?
Bennet plods along, a jackass behind him. No, not Sandy, a literal packmule, loaded up with large burlap bundels. Both man and mule tred along at a tired pace, heading across the plaza towards the Temple of Serriel.
Renfrey is very interested in the reconstruction efforts and comes wandering along from a recent job. "Did the priests of Gilead get crazy again? Or is rat a delicacy for Sith?" he comments wryly to Svarshan eyeing the barrel.
Ulharilti Wiivai can't venture forth from the city with it secured tightly, which leaves her restless. The high tensions and constant threat do not make her any less so. She strides into the temple square looking to and fro. The collection of people draws her towards the table and a few familiar forms are recognized.
"Ssaaa. Myrana," Huff. "Ox...Strength..." Huff. Scratch, roll...as the barrel rolls into place. A few others give it an eyeing, too, and after the word 'Ox-Strength,' also a wide berth. For his own part, the sith takes the opportunity to rest against the barrel. He lifts his chin towards the blue, and thunks his tail against the cobblestones.
One of the organizers waves to Bennet. "You there! We had a platter of pies come in...do you think you could help us move them?" the man's covered in sweat.
Bennet and his ass plod up to the Temple, speaking briefly with an accolyte. The younger of the pair scurries up the steps, returnning moments later with a priest. The quartet converse briefly (the mule adding little to the conversation), before splitting. The mule and acolyte head around towards the back, where presumabily the bundels will be unloaded. The priests heads back up the steps. And Bennet? After a moment peering around, he nods as addressed. "Reckon so. From where, to where?"
The man grasps a knee in one hand. He's been busy. He rests there a moment before pointing off towards the Tarienite building. Near this building are a large number of...well, pies. In fact, a Little Old Lady (called LOLs) is even now dropping off another one. It's probably apple.
"Over...there. The Altheans want them brought to--" he points to another table, where a number of desserts are beginning to be piled. "--there."
Renfrey perks up "Ox? Pie?" the last one perks his interest especially "Tell me how it tasted and if you don't keel over I will have a mug." he says with a wink.
Out of the Temple of ALthea walks Sandy. She is annoyed. Very annoyed, actually. And she is clerly making her wya towards Svarshan. She promptly kicks him in the shin when she reaches him.
Ulharilti Wiivai aims for Svarshan. She also seems annoyed though her ire, unlike her steps, don't seem to be aimed at anyone in particular. Until Sandy kicks him as Ulharility is about to speak. Now she has a target to glare at while awaiting Svarshan's reaction.
'...pie?" Svarshan follows the look. He stares for a while before turning back around (and not wiping at his mouth). "I haven't...tasssted it. Yet. But Myrana promisses is...Ow." Ow. Because that's precisely when Sandy kicks him. Of COURSE it is.
Raethon has arrived.
Bennet nods, and gathers up a number of pies, running them to the indicated table. Well, not really running, that would be reckless. But the gunman works swiftly, ballencing a number of pies at a time. He does, however, slow to give Sandy a long Look. Really, who kicks a BrightBlade?
The temple district is in some ways the heart of the City. Right now, that heart is in shambles. Dressed in rubble, it's filled with volunteers, the sound of hammer, of foremen, the smell of sweat. To one side, someone's (or a bunch of someones) have pushed together a large table. Probably moved from the Althean area, and cobbled together from other parts, it spans a near quarter of the central courtyard, and is being filled by neighboring groups, men and women. Possibly it's also a thumbing of the nose versus the Queen.
Very possible.
Near one side, a team of Little Old Ladies (LOLs) have conspired to craft a small mountain of pies. The Altheans are trying to organize them being mvoed towards a dessert table, and seem to have accosted poor Bennet along the way. Ulharilti, Svarshan, and Renfrey are talking near the ale barrels, and Sandy is kicking people.
Renfrey is interested in these pies, with all the grace and sublety he can manages he sneaks over to where Bennet is placing them. He quickly digs through his pockets before he produces a fork, of course he would have one of those on him at all times. He begins to dig in, mumbling something incoherent with strawberry all over his face.
Raethon walks his way into the temple district and tilts his head. He sniffs quietly and smiles. "Mmmm....Pies." He says quietly as he taps his staff on the ground on his way towards the pie table. "Greetings ladies." he says politely. "I'd like one as well...."
Sandy does inded kick Svarshan a second tiem. "I just spent an hour with Althean paladins. Do you know how much fun that was? It wasn't. Fun. At all." Kick. Kick!
Bennet gives Renfrey a disapproving look, but doesn't say anything. The gunman isn't too sure what all is going on here; for all he knows, those pies are for Renfrey anyway. Returning for another load, he glances to Sandy. "Reckon ya didn't spend the hour right."
"Ow," he says, reflexively. Svarshan shoulders Sandy in return, then looks over towards the blue. "Ssshe does this sso no one knows how nice she is," he says, quietly. Then much quieter, "You sshould talk with Renfrey. We found something interesting. An old sstory." Louder, "Where are the. Pies?" And, "Atheanss are the most pleasant. People to sspend time. With."
Ulharilti Wiivai's tail thumps against the cobbles, but not quite in the same manner as the black's did a moment ago. Her earfrills splay and vibrate as she glares at Sandy. "If you did not like it, why not leave? Svarshan is not to blame." Obviously Sandy's ruse is working, as Ulharilti does not seem to consider her nice.
Raethon makes sure to get himself a rather nice pumpkin pie and begins to eat it right there. He turns his gaze towards Sandy and Svarshan, and shakes his head. He was happy. He learned a new spell, and had it in his spellbook. He was happy.
"Ow," says Sandy when she's shouldered. THen she kicks him again. Her eyes turn towards Renfrey, though, and Ulharility. She squitn at the pair. Squitn hard. Then Bennet is eyed too. "The hells," she mutters.
Svarshan rubs at his muzzle. And... he's an older sith. Not old, still young. Just one who's...well, survived a few hard years. And one does not keep surviving if... "I am sstanding between two ffemales," he says in a low voice of slowly dawning horror. He looks quickly towards the LOLs and the pies, and... "I believe Daeuss requiress my presence near the pies." NOT. RUNNING. AWAY.
Just walking quickly.
On a suddenly revealed-from-the-Heavens Divine Mission.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" says Sandy, immediately. SHew grabs hold of Svarshan. By the arm. She is trying to stop his escape.
Bennet isn't old, but it's getting harder to recall the days when he was young. That doesn't mean his chances of getting any older are that high. "The hells ain't filled up yet, miss. Best not invite trouble. Ain't a place for visitin."
Renfrey has no idea who the pies are for but clearly they are now for him. As Svarshan approaches he hands him one and continues to eat his own, messily. "So who are these for?" he asks the paladin, still munching his own. "Also is the ale any good?"
Ulharilti Wiivai's glare grows into a growl when Sandy lays hands upon the black. She return the favor by grabbing at the arm grabbing at the arm. "He goes where he chooses. If he is called to pie, he is called to pie." She doesn't fully understand the will of the gods, but also does not assume that Svarshan flees.
Raethon says, "It seems these pies are being made by these ladies here." he says indicating the women who are stacking the pies in the middle of the district. "These are good pies, by the way." he says with a chuckles...."
"Are you joking? He's running away from me because I kicked him in the shin. ANd he deserved it." Sandy's attention is now on Ulhariliti. "And who the hell are you anyways?" She demands.
"...--mission...!" It is TOTALLY a divine mission. And Svarshan would like to be near the ale, suddenly. Not just the pies. He looks at it sadly. Like a sad, forlorn thing. Except Renfrey hands him a pie.
A...
"I am in the middle of a nightmare," he says solemnly, to Renfrey.
Nearby, a number of volunteers continue to direct, and the makeshift series of tables piles higher and higher with delicious things to eat. Wonderful things to eat. All made in defiance of the Queen. Near Raethon, a man walks by with part of a pig.
Bennet is fairly sure there's a more effective way to do this, but getting others to help calmly might not be possible. So he just carries another load of delicious baked goods.
"I am Ulharilti Wiivaii," the blue one states firmly, proudly, and still glaringly, "warrior and hunter of the Celaetril tribe. Who are you to strike him?"
"Name's Sandy, and I'll strike Svarhsn as much as I want. He doesn't need you to defend him. He's capable of fighting," a pause, a look over at the Sith, "or running /away/ from his own battles. Of course, he deservs being kicked repeatedly. Bastard."
"I could pinch you, you might wake you up." Renfrey says to Svarshan whith a mouth full "Lets get some ale, I will be your backup." Although its not clear exactly how he will help.
Raethon looks over towards Svarshan to make sure he's okay, but then he takes another bites of his pie. Then he notices Sandy and shakes his head. He knew that wouldn't end well....
The black sith'makar looks at Renfrey, and then he looks towards the pies. He looks like a man steeling himself into going into battle. Like a man who's... "They both have claws," solemnly, to the other man. And then he turns around and...pushes drinks into both of their cla--er, hands. To Ulh. "Ssshe iss an old warrior. Sshe forgets Peace. Only resspects you if you punch her in the face."
Wait.
What did he just do?
"Forgot peace? Do I need to come over there and kick your ass? /Altheans/, Svarshan." Sandy growls at him. Yes. Foret peace right now. Sandy is annoyed.
Ulharilti Wiivai snorts. "He chooses not to strike. He is a brightscale. He is ...patient. That does not give you the right to strike him. If you need a male to abuse, find one of your own." It is possible that she heard Svarshan as she adds, "He is patient. I am not."
"Oh please," says Sandy, bursting out laughing. "You don't know anything about me, or how long I've known that bloody idiot." She gestures at Svarhsan. "And he /is/ an idiot. Make no bones about it. Maybe I need to punch him again."
You say, "Do your punches make people smarter? Elsewise I'm not seeing the point."
"Our sssociety is ruled by a Queen," to Renfrey, solemn. Explaining so much in that one small sentence. The blackscale rubs at one side of his jaw. He looks almost... well, he looks proud. One of the People is taking on the Terror of Alexandria. He might've said that out loud.
Wait, he totally didn't.
He looks down at his own drink, and suddenly, drowns the entire thing.
"You will not," Ulharilti assures Sandy and steps to place herself squarely between Sandy and the table with pies and males. Could she go into a lengthy lecture about why Sandy shouldn't harass Svarshan? Possibly. Does she think it's necessary? Apparently not.
Raethon continues eating pie, and watching Ulharilti stand up to Sandy. This is definitely good pie.
Bennet just keeps moving the pies, still not utterly sure why they don't just make the other table the Dessert Table.
Renfrey certainly doesn't want to get in between this is he doesn't have to so he takes a seat on the table and enjoys his pie, he doesn't intend to get kicked today if he can help it.
There is pie. Sandy casually picks one up. She then promptly smashes it on Ulhariliti's face.
Or at least she tries, anyways.
Come on. There is pie here. And angry people. Pie fight was inevitable.
A few more pies arrive. ...and then the casseroles.
And bread pudding. The flow keeps going, though a few looks get thrown and...they give the group a wide berth. Very wide.
Of course. There are also one or two on the side taking bets. A gnome (of COURSE it's a gnome!) is counting coins into a bag.
(Someone in the Temple of Tarien is SO HAPPY.)
Svarshan says "<something you don't understand in draconic>"...I am humbled you would speak for me,"<something you don't understand in draconic>"
Svarshan looks between the two of them. And... drops an arm around the blue's shoulder. "<something you don't understand in draconic>" to Ulh. And he is. He looks...shellshocked, really. And then he reaches over, and lifts a pie. And then he shoves it into Sandy's face. And smears it.
Bennet looks to the pie table, looks to the dessert table, looks to the pies in his hands, looks to Sandy and company. "...if you lot wanna just stand over there, be faster if I just throw these to ya. Ain't like things are gonna get worse if ya can't catch."
And then, solemnly... "Run," to the blue. Svarshan's muzzle twitches just subtly.
Renfrey looks at his half-eaten pie, a sad look in his eyes for what he is about to do but then he shrugs and promptly tosses it at Bennet. Why not.
The arm attached to that shoulder is already rearing back when Svarshan touches it. This seems to give Ulharilti pause, if not really any calm. When he speaks again, she moves. It is less a run and more two steps rearward. Room for the brightscale to make his own stand. After another growl, the other hand wipes some of the fruit from her face while her tongue licks more from her muzzle. Svarshan and the others were right. It is very good pie.
And then Sandy is hit with a pie by Svarshan as well, she stops dead. She stops dead and just sort of stands thre for a moment. She licks her lips and then just /glares/ murderously at both Sith-Makra. ANd the others too.
"I hate you all," she mutters.
Raethon continues to eat his pie. He ducks flying pie too, but continues to eat his pie, and finishes it too. "Mmmf. excellent pie." *splut*
Bennet blinks at the pie on the ground, looks at the smear on his chest, looks at Renfrey. "....this some sort of local thing?"
Svarshan jogs a few steps back. The pies...if one looked closely? One might see the Tarienite badge on a few of the Little Old Ladies. One might. But they continue their delivery, adding cakes and breads and...my goodness. Is that a turkey? One totters right past Raethon, and pat-pat-pats his hand on the way with a wrinkled little hand. "You look very nice in blue, dear," she says.
In the meanwhile...Svarshan nudges Bennet in thanks, and picks up one of the pies. "You realize," he says to Ulh, solemnly. "That we are all about to die." ...and then he throws the pie at the muttering sildanyari.
Renfrey ponders for a moment and nods to Bennet "Indeed it is, it is a test of strength. The more pies you take to the face without retaliation the stronger you are." he's clearly full of... well pie by now.
Kiroth has connected.
Ulharilti Wiivai blinks through ... is that peach? that remains on her face at Svarshan's solemn words. Something wells up within her again, that sounds like a growl from before. When her maw finally opens up to release it, it is a hearty roar, but not of anger. She now moves after him towards the table with the baked ammunition.
Bennet frowns thoughfully, glancing to Sandy and the other's who have thrown pies. "...guess that makes some sort of since. Reckon I ain't that strong." And promptly launches a pie at Renfrey. May not be his chosen weapon, but the gunman has a good arm on him.
A pie fight. In the middle of the Temple district. Clearly, Tarienite prayers have been answered! Sandy picks up another pi eherself and this time hurls it right back at Svarshan. She is also howling in indignant anger.
Raethon is hit by two more pies as he's standing there. He just licks his lips and runs his finger over the fruits....and sticks his finger in his mouth. "Strawberry cherry."
"Ow." There's pie on his face. On the side of his neck. Svarshan reaches up and wipes at it. "...gooood." To Renfrey. And then...his brain seems to shut off for a moment. It does. And that? THAT is totally his excuse for the next thing that pops out of his mouth. His tail hits the ground, hard. And he looks from one be-clawed creature to the next. "Food," he says. "I. Will out-eat you both. You knoww thisss is true." Growling, a step forward. He raises his chin in challenge to them BOTH.
That. Was really, really stupid.
"And you look very nice in yellow, too," one of the Little Old Ladies is saying to Bennet. That was a lemon pie. She reaches up to squeeze his hand, and, "I'm going to get a few more. And then the ladies and I are going to just--dig into that turkey!" she punctuates this last with a tiny punch of her fist.
"And the mashed potatoes!" another Little Old Lady cries out.
"Who brought the gravy?" another one.
"Whenever I can find someone to help lift...oh. There you are, dear..." and poor Bennet. Poor, poor Bennet. He was just identified as Someone Who Can Lift Things.
Kiroth has been inside of the temple of Daeus helping with the repairs from the last attack. He has just finished up and he comes out side to find a pie fight. Before he can even react a pie hits him square in the face. It's a key lime pie one and Kiroth sputters as he tries to get his face clear. He looks around for the one that threw the pie and he sees a lovely young cleric of Tarien laughing at him. He grins as he picks scoops up the leftovers and he tosses them at her before he looks around for where the pies are for more ammunition. Oh what a day to leave his shield at the blacksmith's for repairs.
Bennet grins, and nods, ever happy to help. He's been Someone Who Shoots Things, so this is a nice change for him. "Just glad I ain't allergic. Where ya want me to set it, madam?"
Raethon chuckles at what he can see of the pie-le. But he doesn't mind, as long as no one puts a brick in the pies, he's good.
"Impossible. I can pack away more pies than anyone in this room anyways," says Sandy, firmly, pointing a finger at Svarhsan. She has another pie in hand. Oh yes. THERE WILL BE PIE EATING.
A challenge? Directed towards Ulharilti? Her stomach rumbles in response even before she can answer properly. "You will not," she defies in nearly the same tone that the words were spoken before. To prove this, she also attempts to get a head start with a leap onto the table. There is a turkey there. Turkey is prey.
Renfrey wipes the pie from his face and shrugs "Suppose I deserve that. I need to go clean." he slinks away from the pie fight.
Renfrey has left.
"Oh, over there is fine. You know..." and the conversation goes from there. Eventually, well. There's a stack of...well, more food on the tables. Most of the volunteers are beginning to head out, or at least pick up forks and plates, themselves. "Why don't you ask that nice young sildanyari out? She looks so angry...I bet a nice young child on her hips would settle her down..."
Bennet just might notice the Tarienite badge by now. Just might. She smiles up at him, and gives his hand a squeeze with frail little fingers that feel like they're wrapped in old paper.
Turkey? Svarshan follows the look. And then looks around, looking for--that's a. Yes. YES. Side of pig. He makes a run for the giant, greasy...very greasy. Very delicious-smelling thing.
Sandy hears conversation. ABout hips. She stiffens. Immediately. Turns. Glares. Turns. Glares at Svarshan instead. SHe can ot throw pie at old people. It just isn't right. Thus, Svarshan gets another. He's easy to abuse that way.
Bennet smiles politely. The 'I know your bullshit, but I should still be nice' sort of smile. "You might be right madam, but I got me a Lady already."
Svarshan has left.
With another splut, Raethon clicks his tongue with a chuckle and makes his way out of the temple plaza.....to take a bath.....
Or to eat his face......He face could be delicious.
But most likely a bath.
Kiroth sees everyone else is going after the turkey and he keeps going after the pies. He ducks one and gets another one right in the back of the head. He slips and falls to one knee, but scrambles to get back up.
Raethon has left.
Bennet threw a pie, got one thrown at him, and splattered by a few others. He's content to call it good, and just help to lift and move things. The whole pie throwing bit he just doesn't 'get'.
Ulharilti Wiivai has left.