Despite the rumors that continue to swirl around her, Tsemani seems to make good headway during the street festival. She gladhands with the locals and engages in a spirited debate with Sara, holding her own against the brawler.
She takes a deep breath and sends a glowering look to the ceiling.
"Is it because I'm fat?"
~~~~
Melodies nose is indeed a long way into the book, so much so that she doesn't seem to take in much of the conversation between Zileska and her wife until Zhi's feelings start leaking down their bond.
"I just don't want..." She begins, before trailing off as she realises how ridiculous 'I don't want you to get hurt or too tired' would sound given their current role and the fact that she was very nearly disintegrated the day before.
"I'm sorry." She retreats to. "It's not because you're fat darling, you're carrying my child! That's beautiful not ugly in the slightest!" That at least she can say with conviction and her voice rings with the sincerity of the statement.
"'It's not because I'm fat ...'?" Zhi echoes her wife's words back as her face pales a little. "So you do think I'm fat!" she snaps before the tears begin flowing. She drops back down onto the stool near the desk.
"I'm fat and I'm ugly," she says, sobbing.
Melodie is beside Zhi in an instant, although Zileska notices that's she already carefully put the book aside with a bookmark so she doesn't lose her place.
"You are not ugly." She says, grasping Zhi's face in her hands. "You are nearly a mother and you are carrying my daughter. Yes, you weigh more than you usually do but that doesn't mean I love you any less! I love you more than ever!" She focuses all of her willpower on her wife, literally swamping her with feelings of love and support. "You know that!"
She takes Melodie's hand and moves it down to her chest, placing it on the swell of her small breast under the tunic. "Please?"
"Of course. Don't mind me."
Zil shows herself out.
Much of Maria's time had been spent double-checking evidence that Tsemani wasn't involved in the attempts to rig the election. Nothing had revealed itself and politics in general tended to bore her. Besides; it didn't seem like the others needed the help, not with Mel's skills.
Mind rebelling at stagnation, she'd managed to get access to various unsolved cold-cases that had occurred in the area. A surprisingly small number, given how old some of them were. All she'd managed was to solve a theft from six months prior - everyone had fixated on the magical angle of the theft, evidence of teleportation magic and so-on, that no-one had considered that it was all a smoke-screen and that the theft had actually been done by entirely mundane means.
Learning that it had just been the latest stage in a long-running "puzzle war" between two residents had rather taken the sheen off it.
"I never thought I'd be bored on a trip to another plane of reality," she mused to Safina one day, "and yet..." she gestured to the handful of law enforcement files she'd gone through - either too old to solve or too uninteresting to attempt - and would be returned to their owners the following day. "If she weren't pregnant, I'd have half a mind to enlist Zhi in helping me stage a theft as a test for the local police. And if I thought they'd appreciate it, which I doubt. My father attempted a similar thing with a precinct back in Oppara - organised with them ahead of time, of course. I think there's still a few people there who think he was just doing it to show off."
Safina chuckles. "I haven't noticed much crime occurring in the short time we've been here. That would seem to indicate that the police force is effective enough for normal day-to-day life here. Of course, this conspiracy is far beyond the norm. Luckily, we have the intrepid Detective Grayson on the case!"
”I wish I shared your confidence,” Maria said, though she did smile, ”but I’m swiftly learning that planar travel may not be for me. Everything here feels too neat and orderly. I’d say unnaturally so if this plane didn’t predate our whole planet by gods-know how long. When one makes their living as a detective, one learns to see and, at times, embrace the chaos of life. To be fair, most of the people here have already finished their lives and are just wanting a quiet and orderly afterlife, but you get my point. This place is... stagnant. Boring. And boredom is something antithetical to me, hence my attempt to solve the handful of crimes that have gone unsolved here for the last millennium while I await new leads on our missing nation-maker.”
"Fortunately, from what I understand, this is but one of many potential afterlives. Hopefully when our time comes--a long, long time from now!--we will spend eternity somewhere more lively."
Melodie spends most of her time either with her book or her wife, but is still more than capable of co-ordinating a campaign, and Bartelby proves to be a good second in command. Although he's unable to find out much about Tsemani, the campaigning on Sara's behalf goes much better.
Sara spends the first day back from the Astral working with the community organizers, learning the ins and outs of the issues here in Axis; the second is spent organizing speeches about how great she is.
Sara's campaign continues to make good progress as she delivers speeches to the people of Sayashto and as your agents spread out throughout the district going door to door to stump for her. You think you're in a good place at this point in the campaign, though the rumors surrounding Tsemani seem to have abated for now.
"So ..." she says quietly as she traces circles around Melodie's belly button. "With as much gusto as you're putting into Sara's bid for a council seat, I guess a Senate Seat for you back home is a given." She snuggles a little closer and the mesmerist can feel the slight tenseness of worry in the small woman. "You know that means they'll dig up my past, right?" She looks up and meets her wife's eyes. "Which I don't care one whit about, but it might hurt your chances."
~~~~~
"Are we ready to track down more of this vision now?" Zhi says at the daily Ladies breakfast strategy session. "Perhaps the skeleton-like entity? We can ask around about him or her."
She smiles into her wife's black hair. "You do know that most senate seats aren't elected? Well over half are hereditary, and most of the rest are in the Grand Prince's gift. If I did want one of the elected ones though... then what matters is popularity. But the most important thing is that I am never going to be ashamed of you or our family, if that hurts my chances then so be it - we'll just have to be extra charming to compensate!"
"That seems like a worthwhile lead." Melodie agrees. "Whoever this person is they sound like they aren't much involved in the city and politics - they probably aren't going to be part of this Eye Cult. At least I hope they aren't. I still think we should confront Tsemani - everything she's done makes her seem honest, I think she's a victim as much as anyone else." She gives a small shrug as if to say 'take it or leave it' and returns her attention to her breakfast.
"There's something else I want to talk to you about," she continues softly. "Firstly, I want to apologize for earlier. Lately, sometimes I feel like everything's ..." She blows out a puff of air. "Zil says this is normal and that it's just a part of being pregnant, but I'm still sorry if I'm acting like some crazy person. Part of me sees it happening in the midst of it, but it's like watching someone else say and do all these stupid things. I know it's going to happen again too, so I want to also apologize in advance for when it happens again.
"But it feels like, at times, that you're ... like you're afraid to touch me. To handle me. To ..." She falters as if not sure how to express herself. "Zil knows what we do. I've talked to her about it in regards to ... to Harmony. And she says we're fine for at least another three months." She looks back up at Melodie with earnestness in her eyes. "So please don't treat me like I'm made of glass, ok? I'm still me. I still want the same things. I still want you to ..." She reaches down and takes Mel's hand and puts it on her breast. Using two fingers, she moves the changeling's fingers to pinch one of her dark nipples. Her eyes close and her mouth opens slightly. There's a slight intake of air and Melodie can feel Zhi squeezing her thighs together. "Yes," she hisses. "Like that, but tighter." As if to demonstrate, her fingers close tighter on Mel's fingers. "Please. I'm not that fragile."
~~~~~
"So then let's see if we can look this guy up and once we do that, we'll sit down and have a cuppa with Tsemani and lay our cards on the table with her."
Once breakfast is finished, Zhi spends some time wandering and questioning. She seems to be distracted by something, though, and her results seem to show that her heart's not in it.
Zhi's efforts take up the entire morning, but ultimately prove fruitless.
Sara searches concurrently, bringing Ohalia with her, but the two get, distracted and take their sweet time returning.
Melodie too goes out searching for leads.
As Fanalyx noted, undead almost never appear in Sayashto. However, by asking around, Sara and Melodie both ascertain that the appearance of the one in the vision matches that of shinigamis: powerful and macabre heralds of death native to Axis, who often work alongside psychopomps. One particular shinigami named Qarit is known to frequent the yasht shop called Pakhtil’s.
Relaying the information, Sara reveals that she has no idea what it means. "What's yasht, anyhow? Is that, like, what happens to borscht if you leave it in the sun too long?"
Zhi snorts. "Actually it sounds like the sound you make after having eaten too much of it." She shrugs. "Sorry, been doing a little too much of that myself lately."
Sayashto takes its name from its chief export, the long-necked yashtoma gourd. When the yashtoma is dried, its husk can be used for storing liquid or cereals. The stringy flesh of fresh yashtoma serves as a nutritious supplement in animal feed. However, its greatest value is its seeds, which when properly dried, ground, and brewed create the popular beverage yasht. This hot drink’s taste varies slightly by region and preparation, generally producing a somewhat sour flavor with crisp, sweet tones that enthusiasts compare to biting into a delicate pickle or sipping tangy fruit juice. Although the gourd is grown on numerous planes, connoisseurs generally agree that Sayashto’s harvest produces the richest flavor—one that seems to noticeably pop with notes of salt, beets, and aged wine.
Preparing yasht is as simple as tossing a small handful of ground seeds into simmering water. Even so, yasht enthusiasts have developed elaborate preparation and consumption techniques, including a host of complex machines to better control the heat, pressure, and timing. Yasht consumption brings with it numerous traditions and games, many of which involve interpreting the gritty precipitate to tell fortunes, inspire discussions, or just bet on who’s buying the next round. The drink carries with it connotations of intimacy in many cultures throughout Sayashto, so it’s uncouth to serve yasht to a stranger as a sign of hospitality, whereas it’s entirely appropriate to drink it with friends, family, or prospective business partners to mark a warming relationship.
Zileska doesn't seem to have much to do with the time off. Being in a place of perfect order seems to wear on her, as she sulks in her room or looks for opportunities to gamble or do something equally chance-driven. Occasionally she uses divinations like prognostication to make sure that Mel and Zhi's child is coming along fine with no complications or surprises.
"So!" Sara announces, "it's off to the yasht shop, I suppose."
Pakhtil's seems to be a rather popular place, as the line of people waiting to purchase a cup of yasht attests to. The namesake proprietor is an industrious azer who prides herself on brewing the freshest yasht in the district.
Towards the back of the cafe, you spot what can only be the shinigami Qarit relaxing in a large chair. The emaciated, robed humanoid has skeletal wings protruding from his shoulders, and a scythe of bone rests against the wall nearby.
When you approach, he gently places a saucer atop his cup of yasht and looks at you expectantly. "May I help you, mortals? I don't think we have an appointment yet... Not for many more years, at least." Qarit's pale lips pull back in a grim smile.
Melodie leaves this conversation to Sara. Hopefully the candidate can make a good impression in this very public arena.
Zhi's eyes narrow at the being's attempt at humor. One hand moves over her belly and she steps closer to her wife. She glances at Melodie expecting her to take the conversational lead and seems a little surprised that she's deferring to Sara.
Sara curtsies politely and sits across from the shinigami. "That is reassuring to hear, Mr. Qarit, thank you." The anarchist/city council candidate extends a well manicured hand across the table to be kissed or shaken. "I'm Mistress Burke; running for the open council seat."
She smooths her hair and leans in, conspiratorially. "When we're not trying to make things a better place up here, we're also trying to settle unrest back down there, if you catch my drift. Now, not to put too fine a point on it, Mr. Qarit, but we have reason to believe you are in some way connected to Taldaris. You see, he's lost and we need him. There's war brewing in our homeland, and in recovering an artifact he left to prevent exactly that, we were summoned here. Anything you could tell us about him would be immensely appreciated, and I, personally, would truly be in your debt."
Melodie seems to sense her wife's surprise and smiles at her.
Qarit inclines his head. "Taldaris is a good friend of mine. His absence concerns me greatly. You say you need him to prevent a war. Ironic, since he was known as a legendary warlord in life. That is how we met, millennia ago.
"Tell me, what have you learned so far?"
Sara details their shared vision from when they first touched the Mantle of Kings, and their adventures following these leads. "We've also discovered proof of a conspiracy that Taldaris seems to have been at the center of." The evidence she provides is circumstantial, but she herself is sure of it. She mentions the Worm that Walks, the possessed dragon burning the mail with the strange seals, the same seal appearing on the doll's threatening mail, the mote of thought tying these occurrences to the trio of witches they had killed in Yanmass. "As of now, our prevailing theory is somehow, a previously unseen force somehow leveraged Taldaris's soul into resurrecting Prince Carrius, and to what end, we do not know."
"I see," Qarit says. "Perhaps your theory is accurate, perhaps not. You saw Taldaris in your vision, though--the inevitable that his soul evolved into. The prison that he languishes in may be metaphorical rather than literal if you are correct."
The shinigami beckons Sara closer as he removes the saucer from his cup of yasht. "Will you sit with me, Mistress Burke? Share yasht with me, as friends are wont to do, and I shall read the grit within to foretell your death. It may prove quite enlightening."
"It's never good to know too much about one's own death," Zhi offers up. She shakes her head at Sara, hoping she'll decline.
"I love fortune telling. I will sit with you."
Qarit crooks a finger, and an azer quickly bustles over to provide Sara with a cup of yasht. The shinigami raises his own cup in salute. "Kanpai," he says before raising the mug to his thin lips.
He makes small talk as he slowly savors the heady beverage, asking Sara about her life in Taldor and her accomplishments up to this point. Once he has finished his drink, he flips the mug over, scattering the grit at the bottom onto his saucer. He peers closely at the patterns.
"Interesting. I see many women in your orbit. The source of your strength, but also your potential weakness. You care deeply, and that which brings you love may also be a source of pain. I think when death comes for you, you will embrace it willingly, if it means saving another from a similar fate." Qarit looks at Sara, studying her reaction.
Melodie can feel the tension in her wife as the shinigami reads Sara's fortune, but the small woman doesn't say anything else.
Sara glances back at Zhi and Zileska specifically. "I would gladly give my life for any of the women with me. As I would for my partners; I value them all equally. I am proud to have been in their lives, and to continue serving alongside them."
Zhi holds Sara's eyes for a moment or two before looking away, a flush filling her face.
Qarit nods. "You do not fear death. Perhaps because you have seen for yourself that it doesn't always stick the first time around. Just remember that, in due time, it comes for us all."
The shinigami reclines in his seat. "For more than 10 millennia, I have pursued dangerous fugitives, despoilers of the natural world, and those unnaturally overdue for death. About 6,000 years ago, news of an unstoppable warlord brought me to the eastern shores of the Inner Sea on your world of Golarion. Although I expected to find a blood-soaked general and despoiled landscape, I instead found a thoughtful prince who responded to me not with fear but with philosophy. Taken aback, I spoke with the man at length and determined that this prince wouldn’t bring ruin to the world but rather a measure of peace. We exchanged tokens of friendship, and after his death and arrival here in Axis, we became close friends."
Qarit reaches up and removes a stoppered crystal vial from around his neck. Inside, a lock of chestnut hair is wrapped around a trio of withered lilies. "This belonged to Taldaris. Perhaps it will aid in divinations to help track him down. If you have any further questions, you know where to find me."
Sara's eyes widen. She holds the vial close to her face and doesn't remove her eyes from it. "Yes. Of course. Thank you, Mr. Qarit. You were quite helpful."
Melodie exchanges glances with Zhi and, even in the comfortable warmth of the cafe, can't help but shiver. Qarit is impressive, but his certainty about the inevitability of death is... off-putting t say the least.
Nevertheless she shakes off her fear and steps up to the table. "Mr Qarit, thank you so much for your time. I'm sorry to drag her away but the candidate has a meeting with supporters this afternoon and we really mustn't be late."
Outside the cafe, and away from Qarit, Melodie lets out a long breath. "That was helpful - and rather uncomfortable. Zil, can you use this to try and find Taldaris? Or should we take it to the Lieutenant?"
Zil frowns slightly and says, "Maybe. All divination is a bit rocky since the demise of Aroden. Having a key item like this can help... if I can't find anything out, we can then try the Lieutenant."
Glad to be out of the presence of the shinigami, Zhi stills seems a little put off by his revelations.
"Couldn't you ask ...?" Zhi begins, looking around at the others hesitantly. "I mean, I ... I've read about calling upon and asking powerful outsiders questions that they can find the answers to." She looks around again. "Could you do something like that?"
As you prepare to hit the campaign trail again, you notice several notices posted on buildings around the district. Each one bears a familiar sigil--the deaths head moth symbol of Urgathoa, the very same brand that Sara bore up until recently.
SARA BURKE IS A KNOWN GRAVE ROBBER AND RESURRECTIONIST
SHE WAS CONVICTED OF THESE CRIMES IN THE CITY OF OPPARA ON GOLARION
IS THIS THE TYPE OF PERSON WE WANT SERVING ON SAYASHTO'S COUNCIL?