He just shrugs, falling back into his former self of 'playing the tough guy' but then chatters like normal, "a little, not enough to concern me. Burns a bit but I don't think it's an infection. I'll take a good look when we get back to the temple. I guess it's mainly just getting used to the skin flexing differently and letting it heal completely."
He looks around at the restaurant, "any specialties here you'd recommend?"
Sophia looks you in the eye for a moment after your 'tough guy' act, but lets the matter drop for now. Without realizing it, she briefly touches one of her own scars, the skin pale against her rosy skin. "The spiced cake, for sure. Goes good with the hot chocolate. And yeah, I've lived here my whole life. Went to Forge for a little training- if you want cold, try the north! - but besides that I'm a Hearthie through and through. What about you, el of enigmas?"
Ibinu chuckles, "el of enigmas? Haha! Never been called that before for sure."
He smiles, "shall I start at the beginning of time or just do a quick overview of myself? See first there was darkness... or light... I don't know... maybe neither? Just nothing? Anyway then stuff happened and here we are!" He whispers conspiratorially, "I don't think anyone actually knows!"
"But enough joking around, I'll answer. I've never really had a home, except with my family as we traveled around to various festivals and events. I guess some people would call us gypsies or something more derogatory. But it wasn't really fun or anything. It was hard work just surviving, plus we didn't get to enjoy many of the different places we traveled to. I honestly think we were probably more 'refugees' than 'travelers.' But that is the way many of my fellow elen live."
He continues after they order, "I managed to piss off some form of Volcano at one point. Really screwed up my life there. Full of anger, hate, etc... pretty much controlled, well maybe not controlled, but heavily influenced my actions beyond that. But recently I got a second chance at happiness instead of hate so I'm trying to just take my time and enjoy my experiences."
He rubs his hands down the scar and mumbles, "I don't know about your feelings about your own trials, but mine I wouldn't trade away for anything."
Tucking the little bag back into her bag and pulling something clean out. Silently and methodically dressing herself before sitting on the edge her bed. "So does that mean you are dead and stuck in a weapon now?"
Looking around at the other two more beds and bouncing her leg mindlessly. "Do you know who you were before?"
A faint peal of laughter. "Just because there are dead elen there doesn't mean everything is dead. I'm a servant of the fey, who are more alive than these city dwellers! After this particular task is done, my service will be up and I will be initiated into their ranks. I know who I am - I've belonged to the fey since the day I was born, and they have been very good to me.
Spiced cakes and hot chocolate arrive. The drink is very sweet, which helps with the cake, which is not sweetened at all. The two go very well together, combining the spice and sugar into a new taste, different than their parts.
Ibinu, Sophia laughs at your joking whisper. She listens attentively to the rest. "I've meant to ask you...and don't answer if it's uncomfortable, but...what exactly changed? You had some sarcastic grumbles here and there, but nothing like-" she gestures towards you, palms up, "well, you! You laugh, smile, and you are kind. I saw a glimmer of that kindness when you," she now indicates her face, "you know, but nothing like how you are now. Was it...magic? Meditation?" She clears her throat. "A girl?"
Nodding, That makes sense. Though I do not understand why I went there.
The axe shrugs, somehow "You asked for spiritual help, so you went to a land of spirits. A yawn. "Have fun with the little one, I need to rest..."
Sighing, "Rest well I suppose."
Slowly standing back up before attaching the axe to her belt. Stretching her arms above her head and groaning at the pops that happen. "I wonder if where Ibinu went."
Scowling briefly before shaking her head, a more neutral expression takes over. Though a small smile forms by the time she reaches Bian's room.
Knocking and waiting to be allowed in, "So what would you like to do now?"
"Come in!" Egret's voice is considerably more cheerful now. She is bundled up in a large coat, hat, mittens, boots, and thick pants, all white wool, making her look like a small sheep. Her golden eyes peek between the fuzzy garments.
Taking a deep breath, she says excitedly, "Bian-says-there-are-pogona-sleigh-rides-in-the-snow-so-can-we-go-pleease!"
Smiling down at Egret, "Of course. You will blend right in with the snow."
Glancing over at Bian, "Thank you and please lead the way."
Bian smiles at you, and leads you out of the Temple. Lui is waiting outside the door, your quiet guardian since Inam averted a civil war and made you, herself, and Ibinu the heroes of the city. His wooden foot, in the shape of a bird's claw (perhaps a chicken's?) clicks on the hard obsidian.
As you pass the many corridors and levels of the Temple, you see that Inam's stoneworkers are already making progress: the Warrior is more prominent than ever, and the visage of the Lady has been softened considerably. Although the need for sacrifice will always be the foundation of the ifrit faith, the malicious joy of it that has taken hold in the last century or two is finally being mitigated.
Egret holds your hand the whole way - you feel her tiny hand, even through her thick mittens. She seems far too fragile to exist in this harsh land, and this cruel city. And yet, all her young eyes see is the beauty of torchlight reflected upon the snow. She tugs on your arm, urging you to hurry. "Come on, Sissy!"
Bian takes you south, toward the Shops. The snow blurs all the different stores and boutiques together, giving the impression that all elen are living in houses of snow and ice, rather than stone and wood. Most adults you see scowl at the weather - serious business els huddled in dark coats; priests and mediators in thick robes; and the ever-present sylphan streetsweepers, seemingly bulky underneath multiple layers of jackets and blankets.
You arrive at what is obviously a stable, judging from the smell of pogona and insect mash. A small adjacent shop holds the driver, a pockmarked but smiling ifrit, just shy of middle age. He tips his short-billed cap to you. "C'n I interest you in a sleigh ride then? Where'd you like to go in the city?"
Digging and pulling out two golden coins. Looking over at Egret and Bian "I not seen much of the city so one of you pick."
Egret puts on her 'serious adult' face, and says to the driver, "Please take us to the Steam Bridge, sir! We demand to see dim while looking at the pretty water!"
The driver laughs kindly and says, "Yes ma'am."
The child sits between you and Bian. The cab seems only designed for two, so the fit is snug, but none of you mind. A mostly-clean blanket is provided for the chilly evening, allowing you to share your body warmth. The three of you sit in content silence, watching the fancy Shops give way to more the utilitarian warehouses near the Docks.
Clickety-clickety is the rhythm of the wheels upon cobbled streets. Past the oddly cylindrical Trader's Respite, the gathering place of undine merchants from downRiver. Past the shipbuilding yards, smelling of tar and raw wood.
Finally, to the Steam Bridge. With the steam gone, would elen a hundred years from now wonder why it was ever called such? The clickety rhythm ceases, put to sleep by the strangely smooth ceramic of the sylph-made bridge. The grand sights stand before you to the north: the Temple, stark and unforgiving; beyond the city, the huge statue of the Cauldron Lady, unchanged in her glowering glory; and farther still, Volcano, implacable. River rushes by beneath you, a god that invites elen to swim and drink rather than to burn and die.
The three of you sit for half a candle, either quiet in each other's company or perhaps making small conversation. When the peaklight begins its descent from daffodil to marigold to rose to lilac, Egret whispers, "Do you have some cloudies, Sissy? We need to throw them over the bridge and make a wish!"
Smiling at Egret before getting situated in the cab. Doing her best to take up as little room as possible. Looking around at the grimness that all the faces of Volcano gifts to this miserable city. The fast and seemingly out of place River. And up at the dark Sky. There is no Forest here.
Feeling no need to fill the comfortable silence with any noise. Though her toes twitch in her boots and a hand rubs circles on Egret's shoulders. Smiling at colors that fill the sky. The stunning death of the day.
Jumping a little at the question before nodding. Shifting in her seat before digging out four copper coins. Climbing out of the little cab before handing a coin to Egret, Bian, and the driver. Keeping one for herself. Extending a hand to help the others out of the cab. "Well get with the wish making."
Egret giggles, jumps up and down with her eyes closed, and immediately throws her coin over the side. After about three seconds, it ploops into River below.
Bian follows suit at a more measured pace, looking at you sidelong as she tosses her cloudie.
The driver glances over at you. He gestures politely. "Please ma'am, you go on ahead."
Inam, Edoardo arrived on the scene with astonishing speed, gently taking your arm and leading you to the Temple. Kallik hardly even stopped walking after you got out of the rift - you know she is headed straight for Egret. Ibinu appeared to be talking to himself, a faraway look in his gold-upon-stormcloud eyes.
Clearly upset and barely keeping his calm, Edoardo speaks rapidly. "The council is in an uproar! Will you come with me to calm things down? Please?" With his ifrit accent coming out, it sounds like he says wheel instead of will.
Shrugging at the driver before turning to face the river. Holding the coin out over the water. Please let me stop screwing everything up. Egret deserves so much better and so do Iman and Ibinu... Bian too. Dropping the coin into the water and watching it vanish into the depths.
As the evening deepens, Egret begins to fall asleep, a small fuzzy presence on your right arm. You just barely hear it, whispered half from the land of dreams: "I wished you would be my real mom someday, Sissy."
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Staring up into the darkness. I wish that wasn't what you wanted. You deserve so much better than me. Blinking away the tears that threaten to escape into the world. Unable to look at Bian the remainder of the trip. Simply staring out of the cab and watching them move though the city.
Inam, Edoardo arrived on the scene with astonishing speed, gently taking your arm and leading you to the Temple. Kallik hardly even stopped walking after you got out of the rift - you know she is headed straight for Egret. Ibinu appeared to be talking to himself, a faraway look in his gold-upon-stormcloud eyes.
Clearly upset and barely keeping his calm, Edoardo speaks rapidly. "The council is in an uproar! Will you come with me to calm things down? Please?" With his ifrit accent coming out, it sounds like he says wheel instead of will.
Inam, your mind is beginning to focus on a smattering of subjects- council matters, whether Etrah needs to be fed – so it is no surprise when, for a moment, you do not recognize the ele in front of you.
Her clothing is utterly generic. She is wearing a traditional, proper sylphan dress: gray, below the knee, with long sleeves, complete with apron. The uniform could belong to one of ten thousand working-class sylph matrons.
It is her voice that gives it away. Only your mother could manage to sound diffident and self-righteous at the same time. ”Well Innie, I received your letter, and to call it uncharitable would be an understatement.” She speaks without a trace of sylphan brogue.
She steps closer to you, not noticing Edoardo or your phoenix. Calmly, with a worried expression on her face—that same wrinkle above her forehead—she says, ”What do you have to say for yourself, mocking your family when we've fallen on hard times?”
Turning her new trinket over and over in hand, Inam barely registers the concern in Edoardo's voice. Simply nodding silently... "Huh? Do what?"
Stopping dead in her tracks, she looks at Edoardo. Offering a gentle smile. "You need to relax, my friend. It's 'The Warriors' will...His grace that leads me through this life. As is, I should have died...how many times now? It's through His grace I still breathe."
Reaching out, she moves to embrace the man...speaking softly..."I go where He leads....I..."
Stopping suddenly at the sound of the voice, she turns. Head bowed....Inam suddenly looks like little more than a scared child.
"I...I meant...only....no disrespect...I...worried!" she stammers. "So....you're ok?"
Noticing the scene unfolding, Etrah clears his throat. "Excuse me elen, but you'r youngling here belongs to Volcano. You should show her the respect she's earned when you address her!"
"Inam, stand up straight! You are no simply youngling anymore. You are The Warriors Sword!"
Mother starts in surprise and backs away a step when Etrah speaks. Her worried hands immediately set to twisting her apron tightly, then loosening, then tightening again. Breathing quickly, she says, "That...thing...speaks?"
"Thing?!" exclaims the phoenix indignantly. "I am Etrah! The herald of the The Warrior! You dare constitute me as a mere mortal...thing?!"
Quickly stepping between the phoenix and the sylph, Inam tries to cool the flaming creature. "Please, forgive her. She...she doesn't understand...be patient."
Turning back to the matriarch, head turned downward, she explains. "M-Mother, you remember my spiritual guide, right? The chicken that appeared in the forge and presented me with this sword? His divine nature has fully manifested since we last spoke."
"He...he continues to guide my path in the righteous ways of our savior Volcano. I'm still learning...and will likely always be so, but my path...well...its...." trailing off, her thoughts seem to consume her.
'Is it written somewhere? I guess I never asked...or looked. Perhaps Ibinu would know. He does a lot of reading...There must be other places to search for the understanding of what lays ahead. Simply studying the words and commands of the [i]One will only get me so far...'[/i]
Snapping back to the present, she stammers, "So...uh....how...is...uh...Father? My Brothers...doing well?"
Ignoring all but the last question, Mother presses forward. "Your father and your brothers are pulling weeds from Farmer
Eornan's crops a few fields over. No one in the family has been able to so much as light a fire since you left. The priest couldn't find anything wrong, so there we were - stuck with a worthless business." She speaks primly and quickly, ending with a sour smile.
She finally looks at Etrah, then back at you. Letting the tortured apron go. she points a stiff, well-manicured finger at the phoenix. "Was it this bird's idea?"
Looking up into her mothers eyes for the first time, she stares dumbfounded. "Can't light a fire...? But...what? You were forging long before I was born. Why would my leaving end the family business? I wasn't even any good at it!"
"Was what Etrah's idea?" she asks, dragging the name out.
An amused, yet quizzical look on his face, Etrah silently watches the duo.
'Let this play out.' considers the phoenix. 'We'll see where it leads...what the young one concludes.'
Mother murmurs, "Can't even follow the conversation...certainly wasn't your idea..." She then sighs loudly, "Listen, Innie. I'm positively exhausted. I'm at an inn a little southeast of that giant obsidian eyesore in the middle of town. It's called the 'Dewdrop'. We need to talk more - come by this evening after I've had a chance to rest."
"An inn?" she repeats, blinking a few times. "No, 'course not. Edoardo here can see you get a suitable room at the Temple. It'll be fine."
Glancing back towards her elen friend, she smiles sweetly. "It would seem he has something he needs me to attend to, but I'd certainly see you after you've rested."
Edoardo speaks in rapid Ifrit to one of the other guards assigned to you. "It is of no trouble - we will make sure your, eh, Mother is well taken care of."
Your mother purses her lips and looks ready to argue, but the fatigue shows on her face and she simply says, "Fine." She follows the guard, arms crossed, across the courtyard.
Edoardo gives you a moment after your mother is gone. "Eh, you need a few minutes to yourself to cool down before we go to the council? That did not seem...pleasant." He puts a gentle hand on your shoulder.
Spiced cakes and hot chocolate arrive. The drink is very sweet, which helps with the cake, which is not sweetened at all. The two go very well together, combining the spice and sugar into a new taste, different than their parts.
Ibinu, Sophia laughs at your joking whisper. She listens attentively to the rest. "I've meant to ask you...and don't answer if it's uncomfortable, but...what exactly changed? You had some sarcastic grumbles here and there, but nothing like-" she gestures towards you, palms up, "well, you! You laugh, smile, and you are kind. I saw a glimmer of that kindness when you," she now indicates her face, "you know, but nothing like how you are now. Was it...magic? Meditation?" She clears her throat. "A girl?"
Ibinu's brow furrows a brief bit and he shrugs, "well I guess I can share. It is a bit of a secret though so please keep it to yourself. But I need to ask you something afterwards."
He shares his tale, leaving out a few key details but making sure to explain his anger curse and how it led him to seek a radical treatment to remove it. The treatment 'changed' some parts of him, though he believes he is the same person just... free of the oppressive anger that possessed him most of his life. When done he simply asks, "so I need to know. I've seen some cues but I don't want to misinterpret anything. Are you uh... romantically interested in me?"
Letting out a nervous laugh, Sophia immediately answers, "Yes. Was I that obvious?" She smiles, somewhat embarrassed.
Ibinu smiles back, "oh probably not that obvious, but I've been paying close attention to relationship cues around me. Um... a friend isn't very good at noticing such things so I've been working to help them. Anyway, that is all just me chattering to uh..."
He takes a deep breath and continues, "I would like to indicate I am willing to reciprocate that interest. I guess to say more clearly, I like you too." He smiles.
Curling up in her bed and actually letting sleep overtake her. Drifting though verdant forests that gradually shift into a lifeless forest. Drying up and catching fire. Burning tree crashing to the ground and leaving bodies in their wake. No matter which way she runs more burning trees and still bodies. Until there is one tree filled with bodies that dangle from vines wrapped around there necks.
Jolting awake and throwing everything off of her bed. Closing her eyes and taking a few deep slow breaths before beginning to get ready for the day. Digging though her bag to collect a few things before leaving.
Mindlessly wondering around while trying to figure out where she can get the wood that she wants.
Ibinu, Sophia listened attentively to your story, and as a candle or two goes by she shares a few things about herself as well - she is a fan of brutbreve, and an avid cook. She also tells about her family, how her father and brothers are part of the guard, how she was accepted into the ranks...
"...and then I thought my life was over went I went blind from that spawn. Until," and she looks from behind triangular scars at you, blushes, then looks back down, "until you did whatever you did to cure me. I had my life back, and I saw you."
Kallik, you wake up earlier than you realize - it is still prebright when you come to a wooded area a mile or so outside of Hearth. Lui shadows you, a constant presence, but says nothing. He is wearing leathers rather than the bulkier armor he usually wears in the city.
In your almost trance-like state, you feel that the axe is leading you, like a dowsing rod. Most of the wood in the area is dark pines and oaks, but suddenly you come into a small grove of birches. The off-white trees are leafless in the winter wind. A few thick branches are scattered on the forest floor, evidence of a gusty autumn.
Inam, after giving you a few moments to collect yourself, Edoardo says, "Come, the council needs to hear from you. Please."
You come to the now-familiar sixth tier. Upon entering the council chamber, you are pleased to see the masons have begun their work on the awful mosaic of the Cauldron Lady that dominates the ceiling. You are, however, less pleased that they are only halfway finished, and the empty, staring eyes remain, somehow even worse now that half the face is gone.
The Archpriest stands up quickly, his voluminous robes swishing. "Fenice Madre! I knew you would return! Igniscoeli holds no danger for Volcano's chosen!" You see the Counter, the Medium, Bian, Dove, Antioco, and that alchemist friend of Ibinu's...Culkin, you think he name is? They all look to you expectantly.
The Archpriest, in his typical gregarious manner, says, "Please, sit! We would hear of your exploits! The rift is closed, Volcano be praised. How did you accomplish it?"
"Oh, yes of course." mumbles Inam. Her mind obviously wandering back to her home, she silently follows.
The soulless eyes staring through her from the ceiling bring her back to the present as she scratches Etrah's head. "The rift? Oh, right." she mumbles with a smile.
Taking a seat, she begins to recall the excursion in the land of the dead. Seeming so long ago now...'was it just yesterday?' With a slight shake of the head, she smiles.
"Well...the rift itself lead into the afterlife, for those that haven't heard. The blessings of the priests here protected us in the beginning....So Khong greeted us." Pausing, she strokes the symbol hanging from her neck. 'I should have been kinder to him.'
"Whatever his failings in life may have been, he was reborn in the beyond through Volcano's cleansing fires. He gave us his own blessing to protect from the heat when it became unbearable. He then acted as our guide in that place. The...hmmm...."
Pausing, she tries to collect her thoughts. "The first rift closed as soon as we entered. We were blessed to witness the birth of a dragon. It was so majestic! Alas...the darkspawn have infected the afterlife as well. We were able to protect the young dragon from them through great effort...."
"There was a cavern, something there admitted it's cultists activities and died. So Khong sacrificed himself to grant us passage home..."
Tears beginning to well up in her eyes at the thought of what punishments So Khong could be enduring at this very moment, she shakes her head again. "I'm...I'm sorry. I know that wasn't the greatest debriefing....it's been an emotional few days."
"Perhaps questions would be best. Anything you'd like to know? I'll do my best to answer."
Smiling at simply being around nature again and grateful for a quiet companion. Thank you. Take a few minuets for gather a few pieces of the pale wood before turning back to Lui, "Thank you for enduring me in this bit of selfishness. We can return if you would like." No wonder they all think oread's are crazy forest hermits.
Fiddling with the pale wood she gathered as the make the long walk back, trying to figure out which piece the shell would set into best and which one would hold the pearl while giving enough space to crave. Occasionally glancing over at Lui but loosing her courage a few time.
But Hearth begins to dominate the horizon and that pit takes over, "The guard I attacked. Would you know how I could get in contact with him? I know I cannot make amends but I should try."
Lui looks down in thought, as is his habit after he lost his foot. He looks back up and shrugs, in a friendly way. "I don't mind a walk in the woods. I'm here to keep you and yours safe, not complain about the scenery." He smiles as he says this, but you can also tell he's a little shy about joking around you, given your past temper problems.
When he hears the questions, his expression sobers. "Aye, I know who it was. He's...he's okay, really. Do you want to see him? He's about the city right now, as we speak."
Inam, judging from the body language of the council, they are more concerned that the Blessed--especially yourself and Etrah--are safe, and at home. The Archpriest says, "We thank you for what you have told us. I must apologize on behalf of the entire council - we were not expecting you to be so exhausted! Please, get yourself to rest and no more of our foolish questions!"
The whole council nods, and wishes you a restful night's sleep.
Offering Lui a smile at his first comment. Don't get mad. Learn from it.
At his answer, "No I do not want to see him. I did him a great wrong. Attacking him like that but I need to try making up for all of the wrong I have done. My weakness should only damage me not others."
Ibinu smiles as Sophia recounts her background and feelings about the healing. "Well, I've learned from my friends that there isn't any point to having abilities and gifts if you don't use them to help others. I'm glad I was in a position to heal your vision, but please don't feel indebted to me for that or anything else."
He thinks for a second and continues, "I want to try to make us..." he pauses for a second and smiles, "yes us, that sounds right... an equal relationship. Neither of us more important than the other. I've seen too much of that throughout my life between elen of different races and more recently between those with power and those without."
He looks at their finished food/drink and drops the appropriate coinage on the table. "I think we've had a wonderful break and I look forward to the next time we can get together, dinner maybe? But for now, I have some more errands to finish in town before we both have to get back to our duties."
Lui looks at you, trying to see past the angry, feral creature that assaulted one of his fellow guards. "What did you have in mind for him then? Flowers and a kiss?" You can tell he is surprised at what just came out of his mouth - perhaps it was a joke he would make in Sophia's presence, or a different friend, but not you.
The axe, at least, laughs at the joke.
Turning and staring at the ground while clinching her teeth. Shut up. Taking in a deep breath, holding it until her lungs start to object, before letting it out slowly. Glancing up at Lui before locking her gaze forward, "I doubt that would work on anyone from me regardless of the situation."
Clinching her fingers around the scraps of wood in her palm as defeat fills her voice, "I do not know. I was never taught how to make amends. It is not something I used to do but I want to now. I could let him return the favor. Or claim what he wants in recompense."
Glancing over at Lui, "Or do you think the flower and kissing would actually work?"
Sophia smiles, strangely a little more shy now that her feelings are out in the open. "I'll let you pick the next place, since I found this one. Have to be equal, after all." She puts her light helmet back on, and gets ready to resume her duties.
Antonio and Giovanni join you outside. Giovanni, the ifrit, wears an open helmet, like Sophia. Antonio, a bulky oread, wears a closed helmet.