The Tallmind continues their conversation with Aisling as they walk toward some inn (it matters not which).
<<Thought companions are born of the same litter, and are the hands and feet of the Tallmind; nothing more. Family histories are complex and this one does not have the 'elen' terms to explain yet.
It has been a difficult two weeks; a time of changes, both good and bad. The Temple to Sun and Sky is a beautiful, open structure of pillars and high spaces, and the Phoenix symbol of black wings, ready to ignite, flies proudly upon fluttering banners.
Meanwhile, Tallmind Theta still has difficulty adjusting to elen ways of thought, and mostly withdraws to the hospital wings that house the extra humans; the ones that plopped unceremoniously out of the Arches of Confession that melted when the Cauldron Lady lost power. The Tallmind explains he has no 'room' for these, and so they remain catatonic.
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Benedetto groans as he stretches out his tired muscles. He knew he probably shouldn't have been working so hard when their battle was coming up, but... well, it felt good to do some of this work with his own hands.
Phoenix knew he needed the break from the headaches of command.
Sure, technically he was here making sure the money he'd donated to building and repairing housing for the refugees was being spent properly. And sure, he could have done that without doing any hauling or laying ashbricks himself. But whatever his command responsibilities were now, he still didn't *feel* like he was some... great prophet or leader or whatever, and besides, he was pretty sure it was a meaningful thing to be willing to do with your own hands what you were commanding others to do.
He was pretty sure Phoenix approved of not getting a big head, anyway.
He'd been trying to make a daily habit of praying to the Phoenix, even though he was pretty sure the Phoenix knew all about his daily activities. Benedetto had particularly been praying about the whole new temple situation, just to make sure it was acceptable. Maybe it was just the issues he'd had with the Volcano Temple, but he still felt a little nervous about the whole thing.
He sighs. Better get back to his office--he had an office now, who would have thought--and make sure everything was ready for tomorrow. The troops were, at least, starting to seem more like an actual cohesive fighting unit instead of a bunch of hot-headed warriors. They might actually listen to orders when the time for battle came. So he'd better go make sure they had some.
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Aisling used his last day buying additional two potions of energy protections. Just in case. Maybe his companions didn't pay enough attention to the research and he'll be damned if he will lose another group due to poor preparation.
He cannot do much against elementals, not with his usual tactics anyway. But he was prepared, he made some fire flasks, got the trinkets to be protected against the elemental powers and had some healing. The strongest thing was the bane enchantment he got to his dagger. He felt uncomfortable holding it, the power itself strived to hurt him too, the spark of elements inside him pulling at the threads of magic within the item.
He spent the rest of the day walking the city, answering the questions and finally in the evening ended up with Dove again, semi-accidentally. He did visit the places he knew Dove frequented, but didn't have anything specific in mind.
"Hello, boss. Just wanted to leave my notes with you in case I don't come back. I know you said you don't believe...and that's fine. But if I don't come back, please take this to the temple, let them decide what to do with this."
After some small talk, he gets up "I didn't want to disturb you, I'll be off."
He is surprised when he gets small box in return. With goggles inside. He already knew official agents got some vision aid, but this was a gorgeous item.
Even after working together these past weeks, Dove remains mostly an enigma to you - he smiles, jokes, and mourns like other elens, but there is always the slightest hint of theater about him, as if he shapes his personality to the expectations around him, like a pogona changing colors.
He accepts your notes with gravity. "Of course. I will ensure these stay safe." After the small talk and the gift, Dove ends with "Go with the hopes and dreams of the city, Aisling. New life is growing in the heart of Hearth, thanks to you."
**
Appropriate for the time of year, it rains as you walk back to the Gritty Ginny Gin. Many thoughts cycle through your mind, now that the time for leaving the city is nigh. You feel that you have enough allies on the Council that nothing should go terribly wrong in your absence - both Archpriest Palazzo and Captain Dove are supportive of your policies, which is enough to override Antioco, the old, bitter penitent who still tries to cling to the old ways of Lady and Flame. Something to discuss with Benedetto perhaps...a more fitting person to represent the new ways of Phoneix and Sun.
Steering the Council is one thing, but creating organizations from wholecloth is quite another. The nobles you've met with, alternating between political persuasion and evangelizing as you deem fit, have been open to these changes, excited by the prospect of being on the ground floor of a new 'popular' movement. The richest noble, Gabriele v'Enturi, is a subtle el, and you are worried that he will co-opt the direction of the nobles thoughts while you are gone. He is an el who lets others do the talking while he observes, and tends to act behind closed doors to move things as he likes.
The alchemists and scholars are a rat's nest of strange ideas, scientific dogma, pride, old rivalries, and jealousy. Culkin seems to be the most level-headed of the group, and has risen to a position of unofficial leadership among his fellow intellectuals. You wonder if he'll be able to hold such a post given his absent-minded nature, but for now you have a solid ally in the newly dubbed 'Wise Quills'.
He sighs. Better get back to his office--he had an office now, who would have thought--and make sure everything was ready for tomorrow. The troops were, at least, starting to seem more like an actual cohesive fighting unit instead of a bunch of hot-headed warriors. They might actually listen to orders when the time for battle came. So he'd better go make sure they had some.
Drook trots up to you, sweat glistening on his forehead. "Hey! I'm done for the day too. Thanks for letting me help with the repairs today."
He is silent for a few moments--a long time for Drook--as he matches stride with you. "Umm. Are you taking me with you? To all the scary places with the big elementals?" You can see trepidation on his face, but you cannot tell if he is afraid of going, or afraid of being rejected.
Benedetto smiles at his squire, though it gets a little strained when he asks his question. "It's probably best for you to remain behind. I need someone I can trust to report to me on how the troops actually perform in the field when I get back. Can you watch and see if there are any problems while I'm away?"
]He thinks briefly of Abnaki, and the dream terrors he may yet inflict.
One kind of Abnaki winks from far away. I've still got the thrice-slain rug.
Aisling researched the conflict extensively and while he doesn't know much about magic, he can help with the details
EDIT: hopefully, I didn't just eat the only good roll for the week :p
Samen considers the journey ahead of them. Even though he fears it, it must be done.
&*#@. What in the rotten Black North is that 'human' Bigmind thing? It's like watching a bunch of pale slugs trying to dance ballet together. Wonder if their psychic #$@! can hit her ghostly form.
#$%@.
Qizz still (has not heard) pale humans (talk) yet. Maybe their mouths only (breathe) and (eat)? Their shifting (makes) no sense - they (say) nothing with no words and hollow gestures. Qizz (wonders).
Soon, time to (go) to bad element place. Qizz playfully (pokes) Benedetto and Samen, and (capers) about Aisling. Nervous, (getting) out energy.
Benedetto smiles at his squire, though it gets a little strained when he asks his question. "It's probably best for you to remain behind. I need someone I can trust to report to me on how the troops actually perform in the field when I get back. Can you watch and see if there are any problems while I'm away?"
You can see the boy's eyes brighten as you give him a task to do for you. "Yes! I'll watch for everything." The red markings around his eyes--the only thing left behind from his brief tenure of housing a Phoenix spirit--shine as he lights up with ideas. He salutes you with the awkward earnestness of youth. Then, after a pause, he gives you a crushing hug goodbye and runs back to the training yard.
Benedetto returns the salute, as a senior to a junior officer. The hug catches him off-guard, but he also manages to return it before Drook runs off. He feels like... yes, these words seem about right. "Stay warm under the Phoenix's Wings while I'm away!"
Before you make your final preparations to leap into danger once more, Ibinu and Sophia stop by. As always, they hold hands as they walk, like a newly-married couple. "I've talked it over with Sophia, and we've chosen to go south, to see who survived all the flooding in the undine lands." He indicates his own undan body. "I think this is a sign that someone from Hearth needs to head that way."
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With her normal single-minded focus she had forgotten Ibinu was here. Egret was not and that ache hurt but she would be around him for long. That was evident now. She could just stay hiding in the mycos's mind with her shame. Surely, he would know she cared. Words were hard. Goodbyes were painful. She was a ghost anyways, what would it matter.
Little brown bubbles streamed out of Qizzlvutz's mouth. Kallik could taste the acidic irritation from her host. I'm tired of goodbyes Qizz.
Brown stubby fingers extend into long sharp claws they lift in front of their eyes to make sure the phantom sees. Those are my memories! That acid tastes more like old poison. You are a brat.
And to prove the point the little mycos starts sheading red ichor, pushing Kallik out, while doing a barrel roll. Ending by hitting Ibinu in the shin. Staying as sphere and rocking back and forth between the phantom and the resurrected elen.
Shifting nervously before tucking her hands behind her back, "Sorry, Qizz is. Well, strange. And I.. umm."
Slumping slightly, enough to know she was defeated by a child again. That little gesture making her look smaller. "You already know I am bad with anything but violence. I'm sorry I did not find you while we were both here. And now we are leaving. I do not see you again. It has been an honor, and should you make it to the end of this you ought to rest. Whatever that looks like to you. You have earned rest. More than most.
"Nothing to apologize for, Kallik. I know you...need your space. Maybe even more so as a stubborn ghost." He smiles, the gesture somehow familiar despite the unfamiliar face.
He hugs the myco, which in a strange way feels like getting hugged yourself. "Don't throw your life away. Or your ghost's...umm, existence away. You're still worthwhile as you." You don't know why he chooses those particular words, right now-- can he see your plan, and detect the counting-down-the-days-fatalism in your downturned eyes and bland expression?
Benedetto nods to Ibinu. "That sounds like a good idea. It seems like... everywhere's been falling apart. There's too much to do and not enough hands to do it."
He sighs with a shake of his head. "Anyway, good luck. Send word when you can. Maybe we'll be able to send support after we've dealt with the situation in Light."
Aisling runs from somewhere. Always in a rush these days.
"As ready as I'll be."
he pants, just coming from that last minute shopping for two of the potions and setting up schedule of ceremonies and discussions about religion while he's gone.
Few warnings about keeping vigil under the sun, about those that will try to bend any new things their way, encouragement to persist and a hopeful promise he will get back before continuing to Light.
"More things to do than hands to do it is right. We could use the ability to grow more like Qizz."
As they gather for their trip to another plane of existence once again, Gabe asks the people that seem to know things what should be an obvious question. "So is this trip going to be like our last one to Uknukhiphidwala?" He looks a bit sheepish at the next bit. "I don't remember what we researched before...
Kallik.
Don't worry. Not even that Fathead Beta can hear on this wavelength; pure narration.
I know that you want to see the girl one more time. Egret. A pretty bird name, like so many tiresome sylphs. Sylphs lost their edge when Sky died, and most stopped dreaming--real dreaming.
But that is entirely beside the point.
What would you say, if you had one last goodbye? You hear the greedy smile in my voice.
Qizz stretches their flesh to wrap around Ibinu multiple times like crawling ivy, if it were a sentient fungi obsessed with cookies. One tendril reaches behind them to try and snag Kallik into a group hug but they get swatted away. Blowing brown bubbles into the air and smiling as it mixes with the undines' hair in a fascinating way.
Twisting their body so they are face to face with Ibinu, "Qizz no let Kallik throw Kallik. Qizz help Kallik..." They frown, clearly trying to figure out a word.
A tendril puts a cookie in their mouth. No chewing or crumbs, it is simply gone. But the confection helped as they are smiling, "Peace. Oizzlvutz Oath. Help Kallik be peace." The smile is gone and it is one of the few times they seem genuinely serious. Before four cookies are pulled out. "For travel."
And at some point in the mist of this Kallik retreated back into Qizz's mind
***
Just as Samen is contemplating the finishing touches of the various formulae and circle-diagrams he needs to open the rift-
-Tallmind Theta is behind you; their psychic teleportation is utterly silent.
<<Elenmind Samen, what is your opinion on this one accompanying you into this turbulent elemental realm? Great sources of energy could reveal potential locations of other Minds. Your thoughts?>>
Qizz stretches their flesh to wrap around Ibinu multiple times like crawling ivy, if it were a sentient fungi obsessed with cookies. One tendril reaches behind them to try and snag Kallik into a group hug but they get swatted away. Blowing brown bubbles into the air and smiling as it mixes with the undines' hair in a fascinating way. Peace.
The smile is gone and it is one of the few times they seem genuinely serious. Before four cookies are pulled out. "For travel."
Ibinu smiles as he returns the odd hug, and takes the 'travel' cookies with him. He bids farewell to the rest of you. Along with his wife and bodyguard Sophia, he takes a retinue of undine trader-warriors that have been stranded in Hearth since the troubles with Moon began. Time to see what has happened in the southern lands.
Drifting around the city and trying to find anywhere to rest for days on end. Has proven to be quite difficult. Curling up in the roots of the Elder made her skin crawl. Watching the ichor drip from her face on to the bark. It was the same laying in a bed. Everything and everywhere just reminded her she was dead. A restless and dripping corpse.
Corpses rest in graveyards A morbid thought. But not without merit. If it worked, would she know? A backup plan. Her feet had carried her beyond the city. Memories of an afternoon with Egret in a field danced in her mind. Chasing away memories from a graveyard.
Sitting down with her legs crossed and her palms resting open on her knees. And just inhaled. The smell of the grass pulling her further into her memories. Closing her eyes and forgetting the ichor that streams from her eyes, out of her ears, nose, and lips.
Gradually those memories get hazy. Standing up when she cannot see the memory of Egret or the field anymore. Twisting around before Abnaki voice fills her mind.
Abnaki Once-Dreamt
"That thing does not speak to me regardless so I doubt it would matter. I.. What I have to say to Egret is for her not you.
I am not even sure yet what I would say. I died. I broke my promise. I want to. If I have one last goodbye I want it to be with Egret. You can make that happen?"
Aisling runs from somewhere. Always in a rush these days.
"As ready as I'll be."
he pants, just coming from that last minute shopping for two of the potions and setting up schedule of ceremonies and discussions about religion while he's gone.
"I know the feeling. I... probably should have spent some time thinking about what to bring for this," Benedetto admits, grimmacing.
Abnaki Once-Dreamt
"That thing does not speak to me regardless so I doubt it would matter. I.. What I have to say to Egret is for her not you.
I am not even sure yet what I would say. I died. I broke my promise. I want to. If I have one last goodbye I want it to be with Egret. You can make that happen?"
I could put you in a Dream she would both understand and remember. But will I?
A desperate Kallik means a lopsided bargain. I will ask you for a favor...soon. When you reach the rift that lies between Earth and Air. ----- -- --- ---- ---- -- ---. You feel the presence of a task fill your mind, but it remains hidden...it regards fetching some kind of item. A trifle, really.
What do you say?
Abnaki can hear the [bigger[yes![/bigger] wanting to erupt out. Impulsivity has ever been one of Kallik's many vices. Biting the inside of her cheek hard enough that if she had flesh anymore blood would mingle with the ichor. But it stops the echoing yes's in her mind.
'I just need to know that I am not doing something that will not be putting others at risk. Putting them in danger for what I need.'
I promise -- no danger to you and your companions, my dear. Just bring the Once-Dreamt his little prize, and all will be well. Absolutely no harm will come of it.
Dream your dream of Egret. Dream your dream of regret...
Wow, that Tallmind guy is creepy, and that's coming from a literal creeping shadow. Your shadow seems confident your whispering link won't be overheard by the telepathic Tallmind.