In Her Shadow

Outside of Alexandria, late afternoon.

Once again, Harkashan and Rune have been called outside of Alexandria to meet Cor'lana beyond the walls of the city, but this time, it's not to save her beloved husband from the obsessive love and despair of a man consumed by the darkness of the Hound. Indeed, Cor'lana seems much happier for this occasion, greeting all with a smile.

"Are we ready to go?" she asks as everyone approaches. "I can't wait to see Grandfather and Auranar again. I know that this isn't exactly only a social call but..."

She grins at Rune. "Sorry. You'll see why I'm so happy when we're there," she says. "Everyone take hands and then I'll cast the spell."

GAME: Harkashan casts Prayer. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17

Standing next to Lana, Telamon seems to radiate contentment as well. This may be due to his wife's happiness. Or perhaps because for a change, he's clad in something closer to his usual attire: a deep blue tunic trimmed in silver, over black leather trousers tucked into his boots. His circlet on his head, and the sorcerer casually leans on an ironwood staff, the polished bronze head glimmering in the afternoon light.

At Cor'lana's instruction, he reaches out to touch her hand, his starry eyes glinting. "It'll be good to see Grandfather again, and Aura as well. Hopefully she's spent her time constructively."

Despite more than a little uncertainty and a hint of wariness, there is also an excitement that thrums through Rune. So many of her mother's stories had talked of strange, other lands. Places that her child-heart could only try to imagine, full of colors and characters that were far beyond the scope of the day-to-day of Alexandros. Now, she has a chance to follow in those footsteps, experiencing another realm for herself.

As Cor'lana and Telamon had instructed, Rune has come simply as herself. She still wears armor and has her weapons strapped to her back, but they are peace-bonded as a show of trust. Any blades that might offend their 'hosts' have been left behind.

"I'm ready." Rune nods once, stepping forward to join the others and form the circle, her hand reaching for Harkashan's in a way that has become far too familiar as of late. The other reaches to Cor'lana.

"We are ready to go." Harkashan answers, bowing his head, as he touches a hand to his armor, releasing a bolstering spell. They'd spoken about dressing up as nicely as possible. But in the end, Harkashan's best clothing <is> his armor. Notably however, it's been shined.

In fact, as are his scales. He's covered up his arms with armor pieces as well, so the scaleless patch doesn't show. There's a rather beautiful gleam to his body, the way the colors touch and play with his body. The lava-patterns seem more vibrant today. Looking almost liquid in a ways, due to the oiled shine.

The lavarock amongst his horns jingles upon its chains as he turns his head to look to Rune. "I'm looking forward to a chance at answers." Harkashan notes.

"I don't think I'm as familiar with Aura." He does note. "But we have met before."

Unlike Rune, he has left behind his weapons all-together.

"I'm ready." Harkashan bids, as the protective magics finally take hold on all of those around him, and his hand reaches to Rune's. Closing around hers in such a natural manner.

"You both will love her. After all, she is my sister." There's a warm smile on the sorceress's face. "Let us go," Cor'lana says. She casts the spell, and...

GAME: Ravenstongue casts Plane Shift. Caster Level: 14 DC: 24

The world changes.

There are trees as far as the eyes can see, an ever-sprawling sky of twilight above the foliage, an eternal sunset that has been there for eons, if not since the Beginning and even long before. A chill is in the air, like the crisp turning of autumn leaves in their world, yet the leaves on the trees are a dark-green that do not speak to the harvesting season as it would be on the mortal plane. These are not mortal lands, not mortal trees, not mortal skies. This is a land of Before. A land of After. A land of Forever.

In Cor'lana's violet eyes, there is a twinkle that only Telamon's seen before, like the deepest yearning of her soul resides here and she is fulfilled simply by standing here in these woods. It's easy to see why Telamon is given to calling her his faerie princess with the easy way she is given to joy, the almost-gloam of the light at home in her dark hair and in her violet eyes. "Stay close to me," she says. "Do not lose track of each other."

And it is a walk that takes some time. It's hard to keep a firm notion of time here, in the way that one loses track of time when enjoying a particularly good book or story.

But eventually, they reach a clearing in the woods. A place where there's a large tree in the center, a home made from it. Carefully-architected gardens surround the home, and a few clotheslines hang here and there among the gardens, where currently, some dresses are hanging.

There's also a collective of strange birds, somewhere between owl and corvid, who hang around on the house. They peer down at the group, but all are collectively excited as they spot Cor'lana. "Here! Here! Lana! Lana!" they shout in a medley of voices--Cor'lana's voice, Telamon's voice, and more beyond.

It never gets old for Telamon, the feeling of traveling without moving. He smiles as the small group appears in Quelynos, and he nods at Lana's instructions. "Not everything here is friendly -- granted, that's true of Ea as well. But it'd be incredibly inconvenient to have to track you down." His eyes dance with wry humor, as he walks arm-in-arm with Cor'lana.

As the party walks, he comments, "I -could- have just brought us straight to his tree, you know. Then again, they wouldn't get the chance to look around a bit." Telamon doesn't quite seem to fit in here as well as Lana does, but his eyes carry that patient, fathomless compassion, a trace of something far stranger and yet no less kindly.

The sound of birds draws someone to the door which swings open slowly at first and then hearing the sound of Lana's name on the tongues of the birds more fully. The figure ducks slightly back inside for a moment and then bounds out of the door with joy spreading quickly across her features as she scans and finds Cor'lana.

The woman who exits the house is clearly elvish, her skin the color of rich milk chocolate. Her hair a long, long spill of raven black that turns to pink halfway down. It falls past her hips now and is tucked back on top but left to fall freely for the most part. She wears a dress that is mostly cream and layers of glossimer cloth. Save for the bodice which is a corset of cream embordered with three colors of pink roses front and back.

She bounds right away to the edge of the garden gate and calls out a glad cry of welcome. "Cor'lana! Telamon! How long has it been? Too long! And you've brought guests! Fantastic!" She flashes her smile at the guests in question, not seeming to mind that they are unfamiliar to her. She pulls the gate open, but doesn't offer a verbal offer of entry, just steps aside and waits for them enter.

She is clearly waiting just long enough for the pair of Cor'lana and Telamon to enter before pouncing upon them with a hug. Her feet are bare.

The sudden feeling of the world changing around her seems to pull at the pit of Rune's stomach. It's like the sudden drop of when leaping off a building before finding a place to land on the other side. Her feet never leave the ground, however, and her hand stays firmly within the grasp of the others, offering some feeling of stability and permanence.

As she opens her eyes to this new place, Rune lets out a slow breath that comes out as a soft 'wooo' between her lips. The chill breeze, the strange trees that seem to stretch on forever, the sky that is completely alien from any she has ever known, it really /is/ a fairy tale come to life. Where Cor'lana seems to simply be a part of this world as natural as the trees, Rune seems to take it in like a complete outsider, enthralled by someplace beyond her usual understanding.

And then, people begin to walk and she tugs at Harkashan's hand, "Coming!" Getting lost here would be a /very/ bad idea. Already, questions come to the tip of her tongue, "I wonder if she ever came here. She had so many stories, but I think most of them were her imagination running wild and free."

Falling into step with the others, she follows up until they find that clearing, her footsteps slightly halting at the sight of the birds. Her eyes move from one to the other, taking them in and seeming about to say something when Auranar appears. "Good evening." She offers, almost shyly. "If it is even evening." She sounds uncertain of that.

As the world changes, Harkashan closes his eyes. Letting the shift happen, while holding Rune's hand. Close the window upon one world, and open it onto another. There's still a lurch there, as his eyes open, and there's a moment of discomfort. But Harkashan's physiology helps him out.

It is different here. And when they arrive, Harkashan... takes a moment. Looking around, staring at the beautiful colors present. The vibrancy of this world. He doesn't let go of Rune, but he does turn for a moment, his tail curling around his legs so he doesn't whap Rune with them.

He then turns back to Ravenstongue as she mentions staying close and Rune tugs on his hand, and steps in with her pace. His focus on the world around them, and Rune's own state. He thinks - when they start the walk - this must be perfect for her. She always enjoyed stories. This place, it feels eternal like a storybook.

Once they reach the clearing, Harkashan's pace slows just a little bit. "It is important to take the scenic route sometimes." He answers Telamon as it is mentioned he could have taken them directly.

His head tilts up. Hearing the bird-like calls. Speaking of Cor'lana's name in an echo of voices. As if their voices had been stolen by the leaves.

"It is nice to see you again, miss Auranar. Luckily, no demonic directory books around this time." Telamon might remember that occurrence. It is after all, also the first time Telamon met Harkashan. Though at the time, the Sith-makar had been so much out of his depth, he'd largely been quiet. Especially since 'talk' that day could have been rather troublesome.

Once past the threshold, he awaits the shared moment of intimacy between the three that know one-another, and glances down at Rune for a moment. "I think you've got this from here?" He asks, still holding her hand.

Cor'lana giggles happily as she accepts that hug, her excitement up to measure with Auranar's as she throws her arms around her sister and squeezes tightly. "These are friends of mine!" she explains. "They're called Rune and Harkashan. They have some questions about someone that they believe to be one of Grandfather's people, and, well, I wanted to both give you a visit and I wanted to see if Grandfather knew anything." She gestures to both of them with their names, so that Auranar knows who's who.

Even the strange birds on Grandfather's house seem thrilled with this reunion. They make all manner of "aww" noises and happy corvid-like noises. "I see the birds are well," Cor'lana says once she manages to let go of Auranar--which does admittedly take a moment. "You look fantastic, by the way. I'm guessing Grandfather made that for you?"

And it isn't long before another figure departs from the house. A tall man with long locks of dark hair and pale-grey skin, wearing a long cloak of raven feathers that turn eventually into more golden ones and an open-chested robe, steps out of the tree-home. Easily a foot taller than Cor'lana and only a few inches shorter than Harkashan, the man has, nonetheless, a certain aura of power to him, especially in those violet eyes of his. He walks forward to the group and he offers all a small smile.

"Salutations, my children and their friends," he says in a smooth, deep tone. "I am delighted to meet more of my granddaughters' allies. I am called Alud'rigan, the Feathered One, but I ask you to call me Grandfather. May I invite all of you inside my home?"

Telamon is right in line to accept and return hugs with Auranar, giving his sister-by-bond a squeeze. "It's good to see you again, Aura," he happily replies. He pulls back only enough to look Auranar over with a grin. "It seems you're doing well here. You'll have to trade us tales."

Tel's eyes flick to the birds all chattering and chirping with happiness, and he grins again. "Oh, you lot. It's good to see all of you as well. I know we don't visit as much as we should." When Grandfather exits the house, Telamon inclines his head respectfully, before smiling at the fey lord. "Indeed, Grandfather. I'm glad to see you hale and hearty." Yes, there's respect there, but also affection, the kind shown to one's grandfather-in-law -- many times removed, of course.

Auranar's black eyes light with recognition as Harkashan mentions demonic directories and she laughs. "Oh that! I remember yes. It's a pleasure to meet you again more socially Harkashan." She flashes a wink at Rune. "Love your hair by the way."

With that bit taken care of, and Grandfather offering a proper welcome, Auranar seems to relax subtly, though anyone would have been forgiven for assuming her totally at ease before. "This dress? Oh yes. Grandfather is going to drive me to learn to sew or something eventually." She says with real warmth in her eyes. "I have tried a bit but I have little skill for it and I much prefer baking. Which by the way! There's a lovely bread, cookies, biscuits! It's very lucky you came by today really, because we've been baking up a storm!"

She leads the way back to the house, slipping past him to quickly start up some water for tea. The house unsurprisingly smells like baked goods of various varieties. Auranar hadn't been lying.

In some moments, it's easy for Rune to feel set apart from others. The warm welcome between family is something that she hasn't had since her mother passed, but the sight seems to draw a smile to her face, regardless. Sometimes, you live vicariously through others, and this seems one of those times.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." She offers to Auranar. "Cor'lana and Telamon have been dear friends to me. Even in this." Rune may very well feel that she doesn't deserve such friendship, but she doesn't give lip-service to that thought. The compliment is met with a small smile, "And yours. I use natural flowers for the color, so it's a bit more purple this time of year than blue."

Instead, her eyes shift to the other figure that emerges from the house. Whatever Rune had been expecting when Cor'lana talked about her Grandfather, the absolutely gorgeous individual that steps out is not what she had pictured. Call it the effect of a Fey glamor, perhaps, but Rune stares for a moment before realizing that it may very well be impolite.

She seems about to say something, but then corrects herself, taking care with her words. "I think there may be a lot to talk about." Accepting the invitation with a slight bow of her head, Rune then turns to look at Harkashan. "We'll see. You've got a far more diplomatic tongue than I do."

"Hmm, indeed. It does appear I tend to meet a lot of people for the first time under rather tense circumstances. I suppose it is the line of work." The Sith-makar answers Auranar.

"Harkashan." The draconic of the two remarks, bowing his head and motioning to himself to indicate which one would be which upon Ravenstongue's introduction - aiding in Ravenstongue's own gesturing. He then lifts his head as the tall man with raven hair steps out, and once again bows his head.

"Greetings... Grandfather." He remembers that he shouldn't thank anyone, but it takes some thought and restraint. "Gladly." He instead offers upon the invitation to come into the man's house, ducking his head down a bit as he begins to move towards the entrance. Too used to his horns getting tangled or scraping on entry-ways.

The people here are so... pleasant, and incredibly upbeat. Cookies? Dresses? Sewing? He lays his hands to his back and takes a slightly more ponderous posture. He feels a bit out of place. Largely because he kind of misses the kind of affection that Sith-makar castes might show one-another. The sense of belonging amongst a larger community. Here, he sees echoes of it.

"True, ~" He bids Rune, "~ but these are your questions. I cannot give away that which does not belong to me here."

"Of course you two were baking up a storm!" Cor'lana says with a laugh. She goes to enter the house after Auranar, clearly eager to get inside.

Grandfather, in the meantime, chuckles affectionately as his granddaughters slip inside. "It is wonderful to see you again as well, my grandson," he says, replying to Telamon, before he sighs happily. "There they go, my beloved birds," he says warmly of Auranar and Cor'lana over his shoulder. There's that loving crinkle in his face as he turns about back to the house. "Follow us in."

Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice Rune's staring, and even if he did, he seems to know better than to comment on it. Either way, he leads the group indoors. What follows is a home that is far bigger on the inside than it appeared to be on the outside. A cozy fireplace with a rocking chair beside it, the scrawlings of many generations of children set into the ancient wood, and doors that lead to different rooms of the house--but most impressive is the sprawling library that goes all the way to the top of the tree-trunk that the house is built from. There's no stairs to make it accessible for those without flight, either, which seems to suggest that Grandfather is capable of flying.

But then again, there's also another one of those strange birds sleeping on top of a stack of books, so maybe the birds are helpful beyond being noisy. Grandfather pets the sweet child on its feathered head before smiling broadly at the group. "Please make yourselves at home," he says, before pointing to an open door where a medley of sweet scents waft with temptation. "The kitchen is beyond that door, and you are free to come eat as your heart desires--otherwise Auranar, the birds, and I will have to eat it all. What occasion brings all of you here?"

Telamon makes a point to embrace Grandfather as well, once everyone is inside. "Just so you don't think I wasn't happy to see you as well," he explains with a grin. Once that's settled, he raises his eyebrows at the kitchen and the scents wafting out. "We probably should. I mean, if Aura and Grandfather went to all this work, far be it from us to let it get away."

His dark eyes sparkle with good humor, but at Grandfather's inquiry, he nods a bit more soberly. "Lana and I have come with Leirune here, who is seeking answers. Why don't we sit down, and we can explain what this is all about?"

Not wanting to interrupt grandfather - or anyone else, Auranar focuses on making the tea. Starting the fire, which takes barely a moment and then settling the largest kettle they have on it. She doesn't ask how many want tea, assuming that if someone doesn't want some that someone else will have a cup extra. Not that hot water can't be used for other purposes if that fails. What she does ask, with a casual smile toward the whole group, is for safety's sake as well as the enjoyment of those gathered. "And does anyone have a preference on tea?" She takes up the seat closest to the fire so as to tend the flames and the tea itself.

The affection shown, especially from the elder Fey leaves Rune watching after the group for a moment, her hand lightly rubbing over that spot beneath her shirt where her mother's necklace lays.

"Just... keep me from saying anything too stupid." She murmurs to Harkashan.

Heading inside, there is a moment where Rune's eyes seem to take in the absolute expanse of books and one can just see the wonder there. As an Archivist's daughter, books have always held appeal to her, but the fact that these books belong to a Fey being means that she isn't quite going to give in to the compulsion to look at them. Besides, it would be impolite without asking.

Instead, Rune does make her way a bit closer to Cor'lana, whispering in the other half-sil's ear, "You didn't mention that your Grandfather was hot. Give a girl a bit of warning next time."

Then, she moves to take a seat, "If everyone is eating, then of course, we'll take part, too. I'm not too picky on food or drink. Enough time on the road means you appreciate whatever is offered."

With the question proposed about why they are here, Rune reaches into a scroll case beneath her cloak, taking out the same rolled parchment she had shown Telamon and Cor'lana before. When she does, the markings along her arm become more visible as well. "We ran into a being I believe you may be familiar with, one called the Corpse-Eater. He mentioned the markings that I have are copies of some sort of mark. A mark that represents the connection between a person and some other being."

Rune lays out the drawing then, which shows the full extent of the tattoos, which includes cheek, neck, arm, side, and thigh. "Mine are copies. The person who originally had the markings was my mother. I'm... trying to understand who she was. I feel like I've been walking in her shadow all my life and I don't even know anything about her before her life with my father."

"I'll do my best." Harkashan answers Rune upon her request.

Harkashan lets out a pleasant rumble as he takes some time to get his head 'wrapped around' the internals of this home. Looking up at the library, he quickly turns his attention back to Rune. "Remember what we're here for. The books can come later." He croons at her, knowing far too well of Rune's propensity for book-based disappearances. Luckily, it seems she knows to avoid impropriety for now.

Both of the magical and the non-magical varieties.

"I'll take a visit to the kitchen and get some cookies." A reasonable amount of them at that. Making sure not to get in Auranar's way once there. "Just water for me, please." He bids.

Given the chance, he'll return with a few dishes of cookies. Helping in a communal kind of way. Putting one in front of everyone, before he pairs back up with Rune.

Cor'lana blinks a little with Rune's whispered remark. "Oh, sorry," she murmurs back. "I keep forgetting people think he's attractive." Apparently Rune isn't the first to have this problem. 'Problem.' Either way, she ducks into the kitchen for some of the delicious-smelling confections. "Lavender-mint, please, sister, I think it'd pair _excellently_ with that bread..."

Grandfather's genial expression falls away the moment that Rune mentions the Corpse-Eater. Those violet eyes of his which announce him so clearly as Cor'lana's ancestor are filled with a deep remorse that's almost painful to look at. "I express my most sincere of sorrows, Leirune," he says softly. "You must have been very frightened when you encountered that abomination of a cousin that I have. He is a wicked soul. Many of the words that he uses are to, in the end, hurt someone. That is his nature."

But he inspects the markings and... his eyes narrow. Something dark passes in his eyes. "Mmm. Oh, I know these. I know that work, although it has been many years since I have seen it on someone..."

He regards Rune for a moment more. "What was your mother's name? And Auranar, Cor'lana, my dearests, come here when you have a minute. This is important for you both to know, too."

"Lavender-mint for me as well, Aura," Telamon advises. "Here, let me help..." Once the refreshments are brought out -- tea, cookies, bread -- Tel seats himself, and steeples his fingers, listening to Rune's tale. His expression is slightly sour at the mention of the Corpse-Eater, but he offers Grandfather a small smile. "I met with a couple of Rune's fellow party members as well on their encounter with the Corpse-Eater. I advised them as much."

At Grandfather's pondering, and his call for Aura and Lana, his eyebrows rise in curiosity but he holds back questions, instead opting to take a sip of his tea.

Harkashan gets a glass of water per his request, traded for the cookie he brings for Auranar. She gives him an extra smile of gratitude, but like everyone doesn't offer verbal thanks. Instead she focuses on handing out tea to everyone else that wants some, starting with Rune who'd had no preference. At least until the words 'Corpse Eater' leaves Runes lips and then she stops mid-motion. Rage fine and shimmering glints in her black eyes and she takes a small breath to control herself. She finishes offering the requested tea to Cor'lana and Telamon alongside some of the bread before making her way closer to Grandfather.

"I might suggest that we make the house secure against prying ears and eyes." She says this with a trace of displeasure, but also with a bit of firmness. "That... cousin has made a habit of being where he ought not be." Auranar hasn't the skill just yet to cast such magics herself, which is in part the source of her hesitation. The other part being that she doesn't want to presume too far. Her eyes land on the tattoo, but the meaning of them is beyond her at the moment. Though she has read stories enough to hazard an educated guess as to what they might be.

"He was quite frightening, but... I can't say it was the most scary thing I've ever encountered. So there's that." There is a slight exhalation of breath at that, as if she can't quite find humor in it. "That's why I came to Cor'lana and Telamon in the first place, I didn't know how much of what he said could be trusted."

And yet, Grandfather recognizes the markings. That seems to solidify some of it. "Her name was Kiira Theran. She died around sixteen years ago, of an illness the healers couldn't do anything for." Rune's hand shifts up to touch her own markings, the ones that were simply copies of the ones laid out on the page.

Looking towards Grandfather, she speaks a it quieter, perhaps chastened a little by Auranar's warning, "I tried to reach her at a recent festival, but the priestess said she couldn't find her. Instead, I only got a vague message that seemed like it was spoken from some other being, speaking through her."

"I am not sure that is a good thing." Harkashan answers Rune as she mentions that the 'Uncle' had not been the scariest thing she'd ever encountered. But then, he himself recalls the fierce fiend beneath the city.

No, the Corpse-Eater technically qualifies as more scary than that somehow. Even though it had not proven any might.

He remains quiet for now, enjoying the water that had been given to him by Auranar.

Cor'lana brings out a scroll from within her bags. "I have something for that," she responds to Auranar. But rather than unfurling the scroll and reading it that way, she puts a hand to her robes and murmurs an incantation, which causes the scroll in her hands to glow. A moment later, energy washes over the home--but nothing visibly changes.

"Private sanctum spell," she explains. "Seldan gave me the scroll a while back. I am thankful for that."

Grandfather nods soberly in a silent gesture of gratitude for the securing of the home from prying eyes and ears. But the name that Rune provides seems to hang onto him, violet eyes looking down for a moment before finally, he looks Rune in the eyes. There's something final within those violet eyes of his that glow softly.

"There is someone," he begins first. "Loosely affiliated with the Unseelie, a woman who has, as far as I ever remember her, walked in and out of the Courts as freely as she would, only reporting to those who she had dealings with. A woman who is known as the Golden Fate, or the Seer. On the occasions I saw her, she often had a mortal companion that would follow her around--not the same one every time. They all had the same markings. It was rumored and whispered that she would claim them for her own purposes and then use them for her own ends and ambitions. But only one at a time."

Grandfather's eyes close tightly. "I believe your mother was one of hers," he says. "I know this is unsettling to hear."

GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/nature+4: (19)+16+4: 39
GAME: Auranar rolls 1d100: (34): 34

Telamon frowns, narrowing his eyes. "Golden Fate... wait, I've heard something like this before. Give me a second." He grabs a cookie, biting into it and chewing for a moment, chasing it with a swallow of tea. "That's it. Turow was talking to me about the wild variations in fey and brought up something called a norn -- an entity concerned with fate and destiny."

He furrows his brow. "If that was your mother's patron, that's... a lot of power. But I'm admit I'm a little startled as to how your mother could've gotten tangled in the webs of such an entity. Those creatures don't just pick out -anyone- for fun."

Auranar nods to Cor'lana in gratitude even as Grandfather does. She only relaxes once it is set and looks more fully at the strange tattoos. They still have no true meaning to her. But... She tilts her head. "Might I?" She asks, touching the paper very lightly, but waiting for confirmation before turning the page this way and that. Looking at the symbols from every angle. Then looking at the ones on Rune and biting her lips thoughtfully. "I have a thought. But... it is perhaps a... personal one."

She glances toward Telamon and Cor'lana before continuing. "Sometimes mage-marks are things that hold secrets in the way they are shaped. If each person bore these marks in the same place and the same ones... They might hold more meaning on a human-shape than on a piece of paper?" She bites her lip again. "I have read a poem about this Golden Fate actually, but poetry is such..."

Auranar waves an indistinct hand. "The poem mentioned that she had a 'veil of enigma' and referred to hourglasses. If I had to hazard a guess, given the name given to her as 'Seer' she might well have the ability to peer through time and see the future or past. This is half my own guessing of course. Hourglass could refer to her shapeliness after all." Here Auranar snorts delicately.

Even so she's not quite done, pinning Rune with her intelligent dark eyes. "What kind of festival... they were offering contact with the dead?" She shifts her weight and yet her eyes do not hesitate and the next words she says are perhaps a touch indelicate. "Are you sure that your mother is dead?"

Rune had been warned about sharing names, but the fact that her mother had already passed from this world mean that she hadn't considered it when answering the question. Even when Grandfather's violet eyes look at her, she only meets them with the concern of someone lost in something she doesn't fully understand.

"From what I understand, my mother left behind that life when she married my father. He forbid her to ever speak of it to me, and never would talk of it, himself." It very well suggests that, perhaps, Rune's father had some knowledge of what he might have married into. However, it also suggests that he went to great lengths to keep it from impacting his family.

When Auranar asks about reviewing the symbols, Rune motions for her to take the page. "If... you need a more physical representation, I'm more than happy to let you take a look at the ones I have, though they are just a copy made from that scroll." Looking around, she clears her throat softly, "Though... maybe in private. They're relatively extensive."

Looking between the two who seem to have some knowledge on this entity, Rune seems to have little to offer by way of explanation or guidance. "I wish I knew more." Reaching under her clothing, the half-sil pulls out her necklace and sets it down as well. "This is the only thing I have left of hers." The puzzle necklace is remarkably delicate, with two pieces that lay loose. "She gave me the key to the first one, and I found the words for the second lock in Am'shere. I tried to ask her where to go next during the festival."

For Auranar, she answers, "It was the Telmentarian Celebration, held by the Temple of Althea." Seeming anxious, Rune explains, "The entity that spoke back to me said that 'we' would be waiting for me among the golden sands." Looking down at the scroll and necklace, Rune just nods once. "I'm sure. I was there when she died."

Harkashan notices Ravenstongue taking out a spell scroll and watches her cast it. In his mind, he cannot help but wonder just how expensive that scroll is. Followed up immediately by mentally kicking him over getting his mind into that softskin habit of thinking about money like that.

He just nods his head to Ravenstongue, showing appreciation, before listening to Grandfather as he continues to explain the matter. The Unseelie, he believes to recall, are the darker side of the Fey. "That would perhaps tie back in to the Golden Sands." He remarks to Rune, as the Golden Fate gets mentioned. Touching her arm for a moment as he does so.

The others come up with words. Seers. Marks upon people. There's a lot being said, and he's taking his time categorizing all of it. Not immediately seeing what is being said through the forest of information.

There's a little cough from the Sith-makar when there's mention of showing off the full shape of her tattoo, but he lets it be.

Cor'lana's brow furrows. "I haven't heard of this Golden Fate before," she says. "But... What Auranar says about marks--that's worth investigating. Magic markings like that..."

She looks down to the curuchuil on her chest. "They _mean_ things. And while Rune's are just a tattoo, not made as a result of a pact--they're still imitating something. It could be a pact mark with this Golden Fate, like Telamon's implying."

She falls silent for a moment, a thoughtful look on her face.

Grandfather nods gently. "Fate, time--these are things I heard whispers of," he replies. "She would make arrangements with other members of the Courts who wanted of her services, and that was when I saw her with her mortal companions."

He looks at Rune. "I do not know if she entered into pacts with these mortals who accompanied her or not. But... I do know they were all women, and they all looked similar. I had thought perhaps it was a romantic companionship, but such a thing is hard to... verify, in the Courts. A kiss can be between friends, lovers, sworn enemies--sometimes a person is all three to someone."

Then Grandfather looks a bit perturbed. "If this entity said they could not reach your mother... I wonder if..."

But he looks at Rune a moment longer and seems hesitant to even voice this next thought. "She may have your mother. Some of her soul, or all of it, in some way, shape, or form. The illness you may have seen could have been this Golden Fate slowly siphoning her away until her body perished." It is an unkind speculation, and he knows it. The regret is obvious in his eyes.

Telamon hmms. "Golden sands could refer to hourglasses. Or to a location in a desert. We'd need to do some research. But..." He sighs, sitting back and nodding to Auranar and Rune. "Words and writing are the core of thought. Even if they hold no power, they might hold a clue." He chuckles faintly, before continuing.

"That sort of death... could have been the result of the Golden Fate taking offense to your mother walking away from that life. Though it seems... excessive. Especially if she captured your mother's soul." Another sip of tea. "After all, mortal fate is nominally to face the Harpist. Why interfere with that?"

The offer of seeing the runes more fully has Auranar blinking and then inexplicably looking embarrassed. "I was thinking something less personally invasive. Like an illusion. Still, this is an interesting thought. Golden Fate. Golden Sands. Hourglasses. The correlation is not hard to find. Though the exact nature remains elusive." Auranar seems to think then shaking her head. "It doesn't make sense that the priestess should be unable to reach your mother unless... some manner of magic makes that impossible."

Several unpleasant options rise to her mind, but she doesn't utter them out loud. They'd only be distressing without some kind of evidence that they were a real probability. What Grandfather speaks of as unkind as it might be is not as dark as those thoughts which slip through the sorceress's mind. "Were I you I would avoid Golden Sands. I mistrust the idea of this 'we' that you know nothing of." She hesitates and then looks at Grandfather away to Rune. "These marks of belonging, the fae who created them may not take kindly or well to your tattoos. Or worse; consider them an expression of a desire to... belong to them. They might consider you theirs." It's a warning as much as anything.

She falls silent as Telamon talks and she shakes her head. "I think you underestimate the power of the feelings that build up in someone who lives for... essentially forever Telamon. That's a long time to believe that something belongs to you - even if that something is a person. It's a long time to find ways to circumvent the natural order and to take what you _want_ whether it is yours to take or no." These are softly-spoken words.

GAME: Harkashan rolls Knowledge/Religion+2: (12)+5+2: 19

"My mother was a wonderful storyteller. She could entrance you with words and tell stories of love, life, and loss." Rune sits forward a little, fidgeting with the fingers of her other hand as the necklace she usually uses for that is set on the table. "How much of that was from her own experiences, I don't know. I do think she and my father were very much in love. Then again, that doesn't mean much in the greater scheme of things."

Furrowing her brows, "It seems like the Priestess couldn't reach her through the Celestial entity she was using for connecting to the dead. And then something else came forward to speak instead." There is some uncertainty there, since the whole circumstance had quite shocked Rune at the time.

The mystery of her mother's death has always been a shadow over Rune's life. The fact that it very well could be linked to whatever entity her mother had ties to... it would make more sense than some unusual poison that somehow evaded healing techniques. "I could seek a healer's aid... try to have the marks removed. I could walk away like my father has always wanted me to. But... I feel like my mother wanted me to follow this path, whatever it leads to."

There is a deep sadness in her eyes as she looks to Auranar, and then to Cor'lana, Telamon, Harkashan, and Grandfather in turn. "I snuck into her room as she lay dying. She couldn't even speak by then, but she gave me that necklace. She knew I'd find the key to it in her room. If she was trying to escape it, why would she put me on that same path?"

"There was a spirit who knew of Rune's mother, recently. Suggesting there is at least one part of her who is, or was, with the Harpist..." Harkashan rumbles. "Though that was a spirit who had failed to pass on. So... perhaps there are circumstances there that make that harder to put together."

The Sith-makar is a bit out of his depth. But there is one thing that is bugging Harkashan most of all. Beyond the threat this may have upon Rune's person, it also means that her mother's soul is held by someone.

Of course, moving to deal with someone in the Unseelie court is... he has to assume highly dangerous.

When she looks at Harkashan, he shakes his head. "No." He bids her. Taking her hand, as he has many times lately. "We do not flee from this. Your mother belongs in the Deathsinging Dragon's embrace. We return her whence she belongs, Rune."

He looks to the necklace. The one that reacted with Eluna's light. "The Sky-singing dragon touches upon Fate, reflecting upon it the same way Her Light did upon that necklace. Perhaps it protects you from the Fate that the Golden Fate desires." He offers but a suggestion.

"If she wanted you to pursue it--then there is more missing here that we do not know, as I was not close to the Seer and do not know much of her mind nor her personality," Grandfather says, "Perhaps she wished for you to be involved for good intentions on the Seer's behalf that we do not know--or that she knew her story would not be fully finished until you were given the means to do so. Both, as well, could be true. My people are... complicated, and I, myself, have struggled in the past with relaying messages to my mortal descendants. Perhaps the Seer means you no harm and wishes you to reunite with your mother in full when you had that message passed onto you."

His violet eyes regard Rune and Harkashan both as Harkashan points out the necklace. There is something reverent in his eyes when the Sky-singer is mentioned. "All of my people owe Her," he says quietly. "It is no surprise to me that it plays an important role, if it is touched by Her will."

Finally, however, he looks back in the direction of the kitchen. "I believe that is all I can impart onto you," he says. "I would like to, for the remainder of your time here, give you more hospitality. While these dark words and discussions are important--this is a house of love and warmth, first and foremost. My beloved Lana'lel decreed such long ago."

Telamon's brow is furrowed. "Grandfather and Harkashan make a good point. There's too many missing pieces here to get a coherent story. Why put you on the path if it would put you in peril?" He looks up at the ceiling, mulling it over. "The involvement of Ni'essa... as well as other events... may play a part as well." His eyes flick to Rune, staring at her with a surprisingly inscrutable expression. "In the meantime, I'd like to find out more about these 'golden sands'."

He straightens at Grandfather's declaration. "Absolutely. The world outside can be dark and cold, but that doesn't mean a home has to be. Let's table the discussion for the moment, enjoy Grandfather's hospitality, and then return to it with lighter hearts and full bellies."

Auranar lets her thoughts go as easily as they'd come. It's enough that they're boiling to a fine point in the back of her mind. In truth this is not her mystery to solve; all she could do is offer what little aid she could in the meantime. She offers Rune a comforting smile, and determines to herself that she will study the symbols herself in more depth. Not now, but later.

"There's plenty of snacks to go around! And I can put on another pot of tea if everyone is interested?" She offers as a change of subject, touching Grandfather on the arm gently and subtly. A child offering a bit of comfort to a parent whom has lost deeply. A reminder to him that they - his family - are still all around him. "Oh, Cor'lana, can you bring some of these things to Verna?"

A subtle slash of pain crosses through Auranar's eyes. "She must be missing my cooking by now."

"It's been like this my entire life. Even when I find answers, it always leads to more questions." Rune's lip quirks slightly, but there is a genuinely grateful expression that shows on her features, "Still, more knowledge is better than none at all." She looks across, meeting eyes briefly with Telamon, "It's somewhere to start again, and keep walking bravely forward." They don't quite seem line Rune's words, maybe ones borrowed from someone else.

She doesn't offer her thanks, having been warned better than to do so, but she does incline her head to Grandfather, a sign of her appreciation none the less.

As Harkashan takes her hand, Rune squeezes it. Since she isn't entirely sure the state of her mother's spirit or what this all means, she isn't /quite/ as enthusiastic about the path of death as the Makari Death-Singer.

It's at that point that Rune seems to realize that there is tea, and she reaches out for it, warming her hands on the cup. For now, there are more pleasant things that they can share together, while some part of Rune's mind still tries to sort out everything they've learned and what it could mean.

Harkashan keeps Rune's hand and slowly nods his head to her. "Let's enjoy the hospitality. We can figure out more later." He remarks, before relaxing his posture a bit and considering what all of this means. Fate isn't the Death-singer's domain, so he is a bit more lost on what approach to take here. But it looks like they may be spending more time in the Fey-realm in the near future.

Grandfather seems gladdened by Auranar's touch, and he leans down to kiss her in her raven-dark hair. "You are good to me, my rose-tinted raven," he murmurs affectionately, before he watches Cor'lana's reaction to the question.

Cor'lana, for her part, smiles at Auranar. "She misses you," she says, "but--she knows this is the path you walk. It's the path _we_ walk. And when you're ready to go... I'll bring you back home to her."

The visit concludes the way most visits to Grandfather's house do. There's laughter. There's warmth. There's plenty of delicious food and wonderful tea. There's silly birds who get into mischief outside just to get even more laughs.

It's almost enough to forget about 'fate' and what it has in store.

-End