Duskashae regards the pixie with a blank, fixed expression through their mask and wordlessly follows to the audience chamber. Let's get on with this, they think irritably as they look around the wonders of the palace.
As the semi-trance state of xenoglossy takes hold and Vulpiano speaks, Misha's eyes slightly widen and she begins to speak in whalesong, which he hears in his native tongue as if belonging to female human child, "TINY FRIEND ALSO SPEAK SONG OF DEEP WATERS? MISHA IMPRESSED! IN ALL HUNDRED YEARS AS ROYAL CHAUFFEUR, NO ONE BUT TINY FRIEND, PRETTY FORTUNETELLER, AND SHINY KING HIMSELF SPEAK SONG OF DEEP WATERS IN CITY OF TWO SUNS! MISHA CURIOUS HOW STRANGER SING SONG WITH TINY VOICE, BUT SHE THANKS FRIEND FOR KIND WORDS! MISHA MAKE SURE RIDE SMOOTH AS GENTLE BREEZE!"
Skywhales tend to eat the usual things whales do, but they also have a fondness for Cloudfruit, a rare type of fruit that grows only on trees found at or above the cloudline on floating islands. They're not as expensive as some planar delicacies, but at around 1 GP per fruit, they're certainly not cheap.
The majordomo's eyes almost seem to sparkle at The First Flame's shifting glow and she seems drawn in to the shimmering tapestry of light and flame. "Is this what the King meant by how you might communicate? Fascinating, truly fascinating! Let me try!" She crudely attempts to alter her own barely-there faerie glow, but to no avail.
As Vulpiano disembarks and thanks Misha, she responds by letting loose a stream of whalesong.
After he scratches her on the chin and offers her a large, tasty Cloudfruit, she grows very animated and lets loose another series of squeals and wails,
Vulpiano and Josten's offers of an autograph and a handshake break the pixie out of her vain attempts to emulate The First Flame's shifting radiance, "No, no, no, the pleasure's all mine! The King gets a lot of important guests, but none of them have tales as glamorous and dashing as the Broken Circle's! I've read, um, well... every book I can get my hands on about your adventures. Oh, but wait, handshakes, right!" She extends her tiny hands forward and gives an excited handshake.
She looks at Duskashae's impassive mask and seems to understand the judow's unspoken thoughts before nervously turning back to the two friendlier figures, "Errr... can we do the autographs later? The King's waiting on you and I've taken up way too much of your time already. Well then, shall we?"
Lily escorts the party through the winding halls of the Sunset Palace. Opulence and grandeur the likes of which would even put the nobles of Hyraeatan's Crown District to shame is displayed throughout every regal, carpeted corridor and every banner-draped transitory room. Space seems to have less of a bearing in the palace, as some of the long hallways gently twist and spiral and, before the Wardens can fully process it, they're walking on what first seemed to be walls and ceilings, were it not for the carpet- and seemingly gravity- confirming that they are still, in fact, walking on what seems to be the floor.
After several minutes of walking, they arrive before two great doors, before which are dozens of Masqued Chevaliers holding trumpets. As the clockwork constructs somehow manage to play the trumpets in perfect unison despite having no lungs with which to blow into the instruments, the indistinct images on the door begin to swirl and take shape. The past triumphs and victories of each member of the Broken Circle are on full display, possibly bringing back fond memories of those days. After a moment, no more than a few seconds or so after the scenes take form and can be recognized, the doors open.
The room before the Wardens is what appears to be a grand planar ballroom a few feet across with a vaulted ceiling so high that it beggars belief how the light cast from the grand crystal chandeliers handing from the ceiling can even illuminate the room below as well as it can. Ethereal music formed of violin and piano notes linger in the air as the room bustles with beings from across the planes: mithril-armored elven knights rub shoulders with seductive vampires and stately minotaurs, angels in shimmering sequined ballgowns and tuxedos toast dapperly-attired demons, a leng spider teeters to and fro in a bizarre dance, and other beings stranger still indulge in all manner of courtly pageantry and celebration.
One figure, in particular, draws the party's gaze. A tall, seemingly human man dressed in royal attire of smokey black, midnight purple, and the darkest shades of sapphire blue dances with an white, green, and gold-clad elven maiden whose long platinum-blonde hair is bound into a braid seemingly decorated with a mithril thread containing tiny stars. Both of the figures wear royal crowns of the finest make and dance so elegantly that it almost seems hypnotic to watch. As the man dances, some of his features and attire seem to shift subtly: ocean blue eyes change to a dusky orange, a lock of hair black hair gains a streak of white as he spins back around with his partner, and more. And then, as he finishes his dance by dipping his partner low, the features of his face change for a moment into a visage of unimaginable handsomeness formed of glowing light as twinkling motes of energy coalesce around him. Although the Wardens may not understand how they know it, there can be no doubt this is the King of Dreams. He feels familiar and oddly nostalgic despite the unlikelihood of them ever having met. He turns directly to the Wardens and smiles as he pulls his queen out of the final step of the dance.
Seemingly seeing that as her cue, Lily clears her throat and announces the party as they stride into the ballroom, "Your Most Noble and Regal Highnesses, Lords and Ladies of the Court Unseen, allow me to introduce the esteemed guest of our King..." The entirety of the court looks your way as Lily proceeds to list off all of the King's many honorics and mention each Warden by their name and many titles. All eyes are on the party and the King as Lily's overly-formal royal introduction ends. The King inclines his head towards the Wardens and offers a courtly bow, "Welcome, honorable protectors and Wardens of fair Hyraeatan. Tales of your exploits have long passed over the tongues of my courtiers and, though I have known you since the days your minds first formed, as I do all who live and dream, I must say it is a great and inestimable honor to make your acquaintence in person." A wave of bows and curtsies moves through the assembled crowd like a wave, with only a handful seeming to stoically abstain.
Josten steps forward, and makes a low, practiced courtly bow before The King of Dreams.
"Your Majesty. I am Josten Cailean. Bardic Demigod of Golarion. Desna, Queen of The Sevenfold Cynosure sends her deepest regards."
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
As the last member of Broken Circle introduce themselves, Josten waves his hand high in the air and casts persistent image.
"And together..we are..The Wardens of the Broken Circle!!"
Multicolored fireworks of light and sound shower above the adventuring party, with the group's symbol in gold hovering above them.
Maedyri grinned, amused that one so tiny had been chosen to announce guests.
Maedyri's front legs spread out, allowing her to lower herself in a bow as she introduces herself. Madam Maedyri of the Chrysalis Covenant, divine servant of the Sovyrian Conclave. Your Majesty, allow me to compliment the grand beauty and creativity that is on display within your city. My craftsmen would delight in a visit, such inspiration surely can not be found elsewhere. Though I suppose some of them might have already received some inspiration from the dreams you send them. She smiles and bows her head in silent thanks.
Maedyri softly chuckles at Josten's flair, she always found his dramatics to be cute.
His heraldry is the silhouette of the Sunset Palace between the twin setting suns of his corner of the Dreamlands, usually superimposed on a regal purple and burnt orange split field.
Because the King has so many foreign dignitaries, the social ettiquettes of his court are largely undefined and informal, although it is expected that visitors display some basic level of propriety while attending the Sunset Palace.
The King has no children or heirs, but he does have a Queen. A new Slumbering Queen is selected nightly from consenting female dreamers and crowned in a grand ceremony. In the time-lost city of Allialla, where time has virtually no meaning, such Queens rule for forever and a day before waking the following morning, usually with some form of sorcerous power as a parting gift.
The King smiles at Josten's introduction and mentioning of Desna, "Well met, young Josten! I've heard a great deal about you through the grapevine, including some rather interesting tales from your aunt on occasion when her personage graces these halls. Please, do give the Starsong my warmest of regards next time you see her."
Maedyri's bow elicits a meaningful nod from the King, "Well met to you as well, Madam Maedyri, and I thank you for your kind words about the Sunset Palace. While it is true that dreams have provided your craftsmen some of their inspiration, as all craftsmen benefit from my domain, I can ink a personal invitation for your craftsmen so that they may take in the sights and expand their horizons even further. Does this sound agreeable to you?"
As The First Flame follows Lily away from the landing platform, its light shimmers and focuses briefly on Misha. It falls on the skywhale like gentle morning sunlight, accompanied by a sense of gratitude, and perhaps just a bit of gentle encouragement.
It turns its light to Lily as she attempts to copy its Radiance. Its light shines on her mind like the light of a young sun shining through the window of a god's forge, where the god labors on a strange contraption made of twisted tubes of bronze... capped by the same huge fire opal which lies in The First Flame's chest. Indeed, the scene shifts to The First Flame looking down at the inventor-god as he plunges the contraption into its chest. Time passes, the planets and stars moving through their dances as The First Flame soars through the void. There is a sense of... concentration, and a strange feeling of complex flows, accompanied by an image of a being practicing with a complicated instrument. The message ends with a sense of patience.
It stays 'silent' as it walks through the castle, focusing instead on listening to conversation and looking at the sights. Dreams are a rare thing for it to have, so even with its eons of life a realm of dreams seems almost new to it.
The First Flame approaches the King and gives him a small bow. Its Radiance flares, brightening much of the hall near it. Those its light touches see in their minds the flaring of a young star, from which erupts a bird of flame--the young First Flame. Eons pass in the blink of an eye, the phoenix barely changing with the long ages as it flies the void, bringing Light and Warmth where it is needed. Abruptly it is in Hyraeatan with the Broken Circle, and then here in front of the King.
Duskashae steps forward, their stride measured and their eyes beneath the mask darting left and right, trying to take everything in. "As you can see plainly, Your Majesty," they say carefully with their open palms outstretched, "I am nothing more than Duskashae, Warden of the Broken Circle. I acknowledge your invitation and your hospitality, and I do not insult you by offering you any gifts, which would pale in comparison to yours. Your summons, if that is what we should call it, causes me to wonder about your purpose and hope that you will enlighten us as to what you seek. It may be that we have services or possessions that we would be willing to exchange with you if the terms of our arrangement were directly stated and agreeable to all parties concerned." They nod to indicate that they have finished speaking, and after waiting a moment they step back into the line.
The King's luminescent features form into a smile after The First Flame's atypical introduction, "Well met to you as well, oh incandescent one. It's rare to meet another who has been around for a comparable stretch of time, such as it is outside of Allialla's eternal bounds, so the pleasure of this meeting is most assuredly mine."
At Duskashae's intoduction, the King holds up his right hand and shakes his head, "Please, Lady Rector-Extracessionary, there is no need to apologize. You all are my guests and have taken time out of your busy schedules to come hear me out, and that's a worthy gift in its own right from luminaries such as yourselves."
The King glances over at Arc Zeon and Vulpiano, who seem unusually quiet, "Doctor Arvanxi, Mr. Arc Zeon, it is a pleasure to meet the two of you as well."
He looks back to the small orchestra, "Now that my esteemed guests have been properly introduced, please, return to enjoying the festivities! Maestro, if you would be so kind?" At that, the ethereal music begins playing once more and everyone returns what they were doing beforehand, their curiosity satiated.
"Now then, I believe that I owe you all an explanation as to why I sent for you, yes? While the matter itself is public, the details are not. Therefore, I would ask you to follow me, please. There are a few people I would like you all to meet." He looks at the ground and weaves his hand around in an arcane fashion, forming a magical sigil on the ground. "If you would be so kind, Wardens."
The god-blessed bows deeply and respectfully to the King of Dreams. He then introduces himself, once more speaking in Fey Common "Greetings and well met your majesty. I am Doctor Vulpiano Arvanxi, son and herald of the goddess Nocticula the Redeemer Queen, Champion of Eiesth, Valkyrie of Hell, Headmaster and Dean of the University of Lepidstadt, master translator and First Speaker of the Bookbinders, and multi-versally renowned healer extraordinaire. I am incredibly honored and extremely privileged to meet one as luminous and extraordinary as yourself. As I said to the skywhale Misha, I would be most grateful to one day return here when the situation is less dire, and take in the sights and experiences of the Dreamlands."
"Our apologies, everyone", Josten turned back to the other party goers as The Wardens leave.
The demigod calmly steps into the arcane sigil.
The King's luminescent features form into a smile after The First Flame's atypical introduction, "Well met to you as well, oh incandescent one. It's rare to meet another who has been around for a comparable stretch of time, such as it is outside of Allialla's eternal bounds, so the pleasure of this meeting is most assuredly mine."
The First Flame's Radiance dims, no longer filling the room, but focusing instead only on the King of Dreams. It falls on him like the light of a warm yellow star on a living world. It spins swiftly, life arising, changing, growing. For a brief instant cities appear and spread across the world, then in a blink of an eye they fall to ruin.
This happens again.
And again.
Across many worlds.
The repeated scenes are accompanied with a sense of loneliness... but also empathy.
Then the light fades to the light of distant stars. There are so many... such a vast number. They are born, grow old, fade, or explose. Awe and wonder accompany this sight.
"Now then, I believe that I owe you all an explanation as to why I sent for you, yes? While the matter itself is public, the details are not. Therefore, I would ask you to follow me, please. There are a few people I would like you all to meet." He looks at the ground and weaves his hand around in an arcane fashion, forming a magical sigil on the ground. "If you would be so kind, Wardens."
The First Flame gives another slight bow, and steps toward the sigil.
Duskashae casts a significant look to those remaining, then shrugs and follows Josten and The First Flame into the sigil.
Arc Zeon gives a gruff nod when addressed by the King.
He'll make sure that everyone is together as they step into the portal, to minimize the chance of separation.
Vulp steps through the teleportation circle, trusting in the King of Dreams.